Microbial Inoculant Formulations

ABSTRACT

Compositions comprising dried formulations of viable  Methylobacterium  as well as methods for making and using the formulations are provided. In particular the compositions provide for  Methylobacterium  formulations with improved viability, shelf-life, and plant or seed treatment characteristics.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This U.S. Non-provisional patent application claims the benefit of the U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/051,028, filed on Sep. 16, 2014 and incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

BACKGROUND

One-carbon organic compounds such as methane and methanol are found extensively in nature, and are utilized as carbon sources by bacteria classified as methanotrophs and methylotrophs. Methanotrophic bacteria include species in the genera Methylobacter, Methylomonas, Methylomicrobium, Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylocystis, Methylosphaera, Methylocaldum, and Methylocella (Lidstrom, 2006). Methanotrophs possess the enzyme methane monooxygenase, that incorporates an atom of oxygen from O₂ into methane, forming methanol. All methanotrophs are obligate one-carbon utilizers, unable to use compounds containing carbon-carbon bonds. Methylotrophs, on the other hand, can also utilize more complex organic compounds, such as organic acids, higher alcohols, sugars, and the like. Thus, methylotrophic bacteria are facultative methylotrophs. Methylotrophic bacteria include species in the genera Methylobacterium, Hyphomicrobium, Methylophilus, Methylobacillus, Methylophaga, Aminobacter, Methylorhabdus, Methylopila, Methylosulfonomonas, Marinosulfonomonas, Paracoccus, Xanthobacter, Ancylobacter (also known as Microcyclus), Thiobacillus, Rhodopseudomonas, Rhodobacter, Acetobacter, Bacillus, Mycobacterium, Arthobacter, and Nocardia (Lidstrom, 2006).

Most methylotrophic bacteria of the genus Methylobacterium are pink-pigmented. They are conventionally referred to as PPFM bacteria, being pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophs. Green (2005, 2006) identified twelve validated species in the genus Methylobacterium, specifically M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, and M. zatmanii. However, M. nidulans is a nitrogen-fixing Methylobacterium that is not a PPFM (Sy et al., 2001). Methylobacterium are ubiquitous in nature, being found in soil, dust, fresh water, sediments, and leaf surfaces, as well as in industrial and clinical environments (Green, 2006).

The existence of PPFM bacteria as colonizers of the leaf surfaces of most (if not all) species of plants (ranging from algae, mosses and liverworts, and angiosperms and gymnosperms) suggests that PPFM bacteria may play an important role in plant physiology (Corpe and Rheem, 1989; Holland and Polacco, 1994; Holland, 1997; Kutschera, 2007). The fact that plants produce and excrete methanol, probably as a waste product of pectin metabolism in growing plant cell walls, suggested to these researchers that a symbiotic relationship exists, with the PPFM bacteria feeding on the plant-produced methanol and in turn providing positive benefits to the plants. The suggested benefits of PPFM bacteria on plant physiology include positive effects on nitrogen metabolism, seed germination, and stimulation of plant growth through the provision of PPFM-generated cytokinin plant hormones. The use of PPFM bacteria to improve plant growth, plant yield, seed germination, male fertility, and plant nutritional qualities has been disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 5,512,069, U.S. Pat. No. 5,961,687, U.S. Pat. No. 6,174,837, U.S. Pat. No. 6,329,320, U.S. Pat. No. 7,435,878, and US Patent Application Pub. No. 2006/0228797. In addition, PPFM bacteria have been found to increase the yield of cultivated algae, suggesting their application to the production of algae-derived biofuels (US Patent Application Pub. No. 2011/0269219).

SUMMARY

Provided herein are methods for efficient production of large quantities of Methylobacterium. These methods can result in high titer Methylobacterium cultures where production time per batch is significantly reduced. The methods of Methylobacterium production provided herein can also use culture medium comprised of inexpensive and readily available components. Also provide herein are useful fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and compositions comprising Methylobacterium. Methods of using the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and compositions comprising Methylobacterium to treat plants or plant parts are also provided herein. The methods and compositions provided herein can be used to produce large quantities of Methylobacterium for application to plants or plant parts, for use as an inoculum in bioremediation, for production of useful products, and for production of recombinant proteins. Useful products obtainable by the methods and compositions provided herein include, but are not limited to, poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid, 1,3-propanediol, and oxazopyrroloquinolines.

Provided herein are fermentation broths comprising a liquid phase and a solid phase that can be suspended therein, wherein the solid phase comprises a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto and wherein the fermentation broth is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the broth can further comprise one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about 0.5% of the broth by mass. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is of animal, plant, microbial, fungal, or mineral origin. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is a polymer. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a polysaccharide, diatomaceous earth, or a salt crystal. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group consisting of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium are at a titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium are at a titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, at least one of the Methylobacterium is a Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotroph (PPFM). In certain embodiments, the Pink Pigmented Facultative Methylotroph (PPFM) is selected from the group consisting of M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyancilium, M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378, M. phyllosphaerae, M. olyzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii. In certain embodiments, at least one of the Methylobacterium is M. nodulans. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned broths, at least 10% of the Methylobacterium in the fermentation broth are Methylobacterium that are adhered to the solid substance. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned broths, the solid is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are fermentation broth products or fermentation products comprising a solid phase that can be suspended in liquid, wherein the solid phase comprises a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto, and wherein the fermentation broth product or fermentation product is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the fermentation broth product or fermentation product further comprises one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a plurality of suspensible particles with adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the solid phase is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of solid. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned fermentation broth products or fermentation products, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are compositions comprising a plurality of particles that can be suspended in a liquid, wherein each of the particles comprise a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto and wherein the solid substance is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises at least one of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant, an agriculturally acceptable excipient, and/or a pesticide. In certain embodiments, the composition is an essentially dry product, an emulsion, or a suspension. In certain embodiments, each of the particles is a particle of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the particles is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the density of adherent Methylobacterium on the particles is at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned compositions, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for culturing Methylobacterium comprising growing a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium in media that comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase that can be suspended therein, wherein the solid phase comprises a solid substance that provides for growth of the Methylobacterium and wherein the media is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the media further comprises one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about 0.5% of the media by mass. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance provides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is a polymer or is of animal, plant, microbial, fungal, or mineral origin. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a polysaccharide, diatomaceous earth, or a salt crystal. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the growing comprises the steps of inoculating the media with the Methylobacterium and incubating the inoculated media under conditions sufficient to provide for growth of the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium are inoculated into the media at a titer of at least about 5×10⁴ colony-forming units per milliliter or at least about 1×10⁵ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium is selected from the group consisting of M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, M. nodulans, M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378. M. phyllosphaerae, M. oryzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii. In certain embodiments, at least 10% of the viable Methylobacterium in the fermentation broth are adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, a titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter is attained. In certain embodiments, the titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter is attained within about 48 hours, about 72 hours, or about 96 hours of inoculating the media with Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the method further comprises the step of harvesting the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism. Also provided are Methylobacterium mono-cultures or co-cultures obtained by any of the aforementioned methods. In certain embodiments, the mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. Also provided are Methylobacterium culture products obtained from the Methylobacterium monoculture or co-culture obtained by the methods, wherein the Methylobacterium culture product comprises a plurality of particles that can be suspended in a liquid and the particles comprise a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. Also provided are compositions comprising the Methylobacterium culture product, fermentation broth product, or fermentation product. In certain embodiments, the culture product, fermentation broth product, or fermentation product comprises a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium that is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant, an agriculturally acceptable excipient, and/or a pesticide. Also provided herein are methods for treating a plant or a plant part with Methylobacterium comprising the step of applying to the plant or plant part a Methylobacterium mono-cultures or co-culture, fermentation broth product, fermentation product, or composition obtained by any of the aforementioned methods. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned Methylobacterium mono-cultures or co-cultures, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, or compositions, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for treating a plant or a plant part with Methylobacterium comprising the step of applying to the plant or plant part a composition comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the composition is an essentially dry product, an emulsion, or a suspension. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a plurality of suspensible particles. In certain embodiments, each of the suspensible particles is a particle of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in length or diameter. In certain embodiments, the plant part is a seed and the composition has a Methylobacterium titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram to about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of the composition. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the composition is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the composition. In certain embodiments, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, or a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn, Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat, barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit, ornamental, or conifer plant. In certain embodiments, the plant is a cereal plant and the part is a seed, a coleoptile, and/or a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant is a cereal plant, the part is a seed, and the composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant grown from the treated seed. In certain embodiments, the plant is a cereal plant, the part is a coleoptile, and/or a leaf, and the composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant comprising the treated coleoptile and/or a leaf. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the cereal plant is selected from the group consisting of corn, barley, millet, oat, rice, rye, sorghum, Triticale, and wheat. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant and the part is a seed, a coleoptile, and/or a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant, the part is a seed, and the composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for an increase in corn nodal root growth in a corn plant grown from the treated seed. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant, the part is a coleoptile, and/or a leaf, and the composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for an increase in corn nodal root growth in a corn plant comprising the treated coleoptile and/or a leaf. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism. Also provided are plants or plant parts obtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the plant or plant part is at least partially coated with an exogenously applied solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, or a leaf. Also provided are processed plant products obtained from any of the aforementioned plants or plant parts, wherein the processed product contains an exogenous solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the plant product is a meal, paste, flour, flake, or feed. In certain embodiments, any of the aforementioned processed products is non-regenerable. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned plants, plant parts, or processed products, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for producing an industrial product comprising growing a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium in media that comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase that can be suspended therein, wherein the solid phase comprises a solid substance that provides for growth of the Methylobacterium and wherein the media is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms, and harvesting the industrial product from the solid phase, the liquid phase, or the combination thereof after growing the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance provides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the industrial product is a polymeric precursor, a biopolymer, a precursor of a medicinal compound, a medicinal compound, or a recombinant protein. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the industrial product is poly-3-hydroxy butyric acid, 1,3-propanediol, a pyrroloquinolinequinone, or an oxazopyrroloquinoline. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided herein are methods for obtaining a Methylobacterium preparation comprising growing a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium in media that comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, wherein the solid phase provides for increased yield of the Methylobacterium relative to yield obtained by growing the Methylobacterium in liquid media alone. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise harvesting Methylobacterium grown in the media. In certain embodiments, at least substantially all of the solid phase is suspended in the liquid phase, or at least substantially all of the solid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase, or portions of the solid phase are suspended in the liquid phase and portions of the solid phase are not suspended in the liquid phase. In certain embodiments, the media further comprises one or more non-photosynthetic microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about 20% of the media by mass. In certain embodiments, the solid phase is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid phase provides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium and/or the solid phase does not serve as a carbon source for the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid phase comprises a solid substance selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid phase comprises a solid substance selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid phase comprises a polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, growing the mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium comprises the steps of inoculating the media with the Methylobacterium and incubating the inoculated media under conditions sufficient to provide for growth of the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, either: (i) the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about 0.5% of the media and substantially all of the solid phase is suspended in the liquid phase; or (ii) the solid phase comprises at least about 0.02% to about 20% of the media and: (a) substantially all of the solid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase; or (b) portions of the solid phase are suspended in the liquid phase and portions of the solid phase are not suspended in the liquid phase. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium is selected from the group consisting of M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, M. nodulans, M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola. Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378. M. phyllosphaerae, M. oryzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii. In certain embodiments, at least 10% of the viable Methylobacterium in the fermentation broth are Methylobacterium that are adhered to the solid phase. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism, and/or the media is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the harvesting comprises recovering all or a portion of the solid phase with Methylobacterium adhered thereto and/or recovering all or a portion of non-adherent Methylobacterium from the liquid phase. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise disassociating some or all of the solid phase with Methylobacterium adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise drying the disassociated or partially disassociated material. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise: i) drying the solid phase with Methylobacterium adhered thereto that had been separated from the liquid phase; or, ii) drying the solid phase with Methylobacterium adhered thereto and non-adherent Methylobacterium that were recovered from the liquid phase. In certain embodiments, the methods further comprise disassociating some or all of either: i) the dried solid phase with Methylobacterium adhered thereto; or, ii) the dried solid phase with Methylobacterium adhered thereto and non-adherent Methylobacterium.

Also provided are Methylobacterium preparations obtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the Methylobacterium preparation comprises the solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the solid substance in the preparation is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are methods for treating a plant or a plant part with Methylobacterium that comprise the step of applying to the plant or plant part a composition comprising the Methylobacterium preparation made by any of the aforementioned methods. In certain embodiments of the methods, the composition further comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments of the methods, the composition is an essentially dry product, an emulsion, or a suspension. In certain embodiments of the methods, the plant part is a seed and the composition has a Methylobacterium titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of the composition to about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units per gram of the composition. In certain embodiments of the methods, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, a fruit, or a leaf. In certain embodiments of the methods, the plant or plant part is a corn, Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat, barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit, ornamental, or conifer plant part.

Also provided are plants or plant parts obtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the plant or plant part is at least partially coated with an exogenous solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. Processed plant products obtained from the plants or plant parts obtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the processed product contains an exogenous solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto are also provided. In certain embodiments, the processed plant product is a meal, paste, flour, flake, or feed. In certain embodiments, the processed plant product is non-regenerable.

Also provided are methods for obtaining a Methylobacterium preparation comprising: (i) growing a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium in either: (a) a culture vessel that comprises or contains one or more solid surfaces that provide for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium; or, (b) media that comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, wherein the solid phase provides for increased yield of the Methylobacterium relative to yield obtained by growing the Methylobacterium in liquid media alone; and, (ii) harvesting Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or the solid phase. In certain embodiments of the methods, harvesting comprises removal of the Methylobacterium from the solid surface or the solid phase by of exposing the Methylobacterium to one or more of a physical and/or a chemical treatment.

In certain embodiments of the methods, the chemical treatment comprises one or more of an ionic strength shift, a pH shift, a detergent treatment, a solvent treatment, and/or an enzymatic treatment. In certain embodiments of the methods, the enzymatic treatment comprises exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or to the solid phase to a protease, a lipase, a glucanase, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments of the methods, the detergent treatment comprises exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or the solid phase to an ionic detergent, a non-ionic detergent, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments of the methods, the physical treatment comprises exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or to the solid phase to sonication, scraping, a pressurized liquid, a pressurized slurry, heat, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments of the methods: (i) at least substantially all of the solid phase is suspended in the liquid phase; or (ii) at least substantially all of the solid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase; or (iii) portions of the solid phase are suspended in the liquid phase and portions of the solid phase are not suspended in the liquid phase. In certain embodiments of the methods, the solid phase provides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium and/or the solid phase does not serve as a carbon source for the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments of the methods, the solid phase comprises a solid substance selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments of the methods, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments of the methods, the solid phase comprises a solid substance selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments of the methods, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned method, the methods can further comprise the step of drying the harvested Methylobacterium.

Also provided herein are fermentation products comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto, wherein the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism, and wherein the fermentation product is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the fermentation product further comprises one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises one or more of: (i) a plurality of suspensible particles with adherent Methylobacterium; (ii) a solid substance that cannot be suspended in fermentation broth; or (iii) a solid substance wherein a portion of the substance can be suspended in fermentation broth and a portion of the substance cannot be suspended in fermentation broth. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned fermentation products, the Methylobacterium titer of the solid phase is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of solid to at least about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹¹, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of solid. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned fermentation products, the density of adherent Methylobacterium on the solid substance is at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area.

Also provided are compositions that comprise a fermentation product comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises at least one of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant and/or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a plurality of particles with Methylobacterium adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the particles comprise particles of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the particles is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of particles to at least about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the composition is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the composition and/or the solid substance can further comprise one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises at least one pesticide and/or at least one bacteriostatic agent. In certain embodiments, the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematocide, and a bacteriocide, wherein the pesticide does not substantially inhibit growth of the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the composition is an essentially dry product, an emulsion, or a suspension. In certain embodiments, the density of adherent Methylobacterium on the solid substance is at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area.

Also provided herein are methods for treating a plant or a plant part with Methylobacterium comprising the step of applying to the plant or plant part any of the aforementioned compositions. In certain embodiments, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, or a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant or plant part is a corn, Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat, barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit, ornamental, or conifer plant or plant part. Also provided are plants obtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the plant is at least partially coated with the fermentation product of the composition. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant, the part is a seed, and the composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for an increase in corn nodal root growth in a corn plant grown from the treated seed. In certain embodiments, the plant is a corn plant, the part is a coleoptile, and/or a leaf, and said composition is applied in an amount sufficient to provide for an increase in corn nodal root growth in a corn plant comprising the treated coleoptile and/or leaf. Also provided are plant parts obtained by any of the aforementioned methods, wherein the plant part is at least partially coated with the fermentation product of the composition. In certain embodiments, the plant part is a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, or a leaf.

Also provided are plants that are at least partially coated with a fermentation product comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the plant is selected from the group consisting of a corn, Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat, barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit, ornamental, and conifer plant. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a plurality of particles with adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the particles are about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the particles is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of particles to at least about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments, the density of adherent Methylobacterium on the solid substance is at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the solid substance further comprises one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism.

Also provided are plant parts that are at least partially coated with a composition that comprises a fermentation product comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the plant part is selected from the group consisting of a corn, Brassica sp., alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, pearl millet, proso millet, foxtail millet, finger millet, sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato, cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beet, sugarcane, oat, barley, tomato, lettuce, green bean, lima bean, pea, cucurbit, ornamental, and conifer plant part. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises a plurality of particles with adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the particles comprise particles of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the particles is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of particles to at least about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments, the density of adherent Methylobacterium on the solid substance is at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers of particle surface area. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant part origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, and a galactan polysaccharide. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, the solid substance further comprises one or more microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the solid substance comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is not a photosynthetic microorganism. In certain embodiments, the composition further comprises at least one pesticide. In certain embodiments, the pesticide is selected from the group consisting of an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematocide, and a bacteriocide, wherein the pesticide does not inhibit the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned embodiments, the plant part is a seed.

Also provided are processed plant products obtained from any of the aforementioned plants or plant parts, wherein the processed product contains a detectable amount of an exogenous solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto. In certain embodiments, the processed product is a meal, paste, flour, flake, or feed. In certain embodiments, the processed product is non-regenerable.

Methods for obtaining a dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium comprising: (a) combining a fermentation product comprising a solid substance having a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium adhered thereto with at least one cryoprotection agent to obtain a biphasic mixture that comprises the cryoprotection agent and a solid phase comprising the fermentation product; and, (b) lyophilizing the biphasic mixture, thereby obtaining the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium are provided. In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is selected from the group consisting of disaccharide, polysucrose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments the fermentation product has a Methylobacterium titer of 5×10⁸, 1×10⁹, or 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of solid to about 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the solid substance. In certain embodiments, the disaccharide is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, trehalose, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysucrose has a molecular weight of about 60 to about 80 kilodaltons (kD) or about 300 to about 500 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is sucrose. In certain embodiments, the hydroxyethylcellulose has a molecular weight of about 600 kilodaltons (kD) to about 700 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the methods can further comprise the addition of a protein of plant, animal or microbial origin to the biphasic mixture. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, a galactan polysaccharide, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the methods can further comprise converting the dried preparation to a powder. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the methods can further comprise the addition of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the methods can further comprise the step of applying the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium to a plant or plant part. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, at least about 50%, 60%, or 70% of Methylobacterium cells in the dried preparation are viable. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the dried preparation is substantially free of water, essentially free of water, or essentially dry. Also provided are compositions comprising the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium made by any of the aforementioned methods. Also provided are plants or plant parts that are at least partially coated with the compositions. In certain embodiments, the plant part is selected from the group consisting of a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, and a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant part is a seed. In certain embodiments, the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 1×10³ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 1×10⁷ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed. In certain embodiments, the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 1×10⁵ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 5×10⁵ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium is heterologous to the plant or plant part that is at least partially coated with the composition. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium is heterologous to the seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, or leaf that is at least partially coated with the composition. In certain embodiments, any of the aforementioned compositions, plants or plant parts can comprise or be at least partially coated with an isolated Methylobacterium selected from the group consisting of NLS0017 (NRRL B-50931), NLS0020 (NRRL B-50930), NLS0021 (NRRL B-50939), NLS0037 (NRRL B-50941), NLS0038 (NRRL B-50942), NLS0042 (NRRL B-50932), NLS0046 (NRRL B-50929), NLS0062 (NRRL B-50937), NLS0064 (NRRL B-50938), NLS0065 (NRRL B-50935), NLS0066 (NRRL B-50940), NLS0068 (NRRL B-50934), NLS0069 (NRRL B-50936), NLS0089 (NRRL B-50933), and derivatives thereof.

Methods for obtaining a dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium comprising: (a) combining a fermentation product comprising a solid substance having a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium adhered thereto with at least one cryoprotection agent to obtain a biphasic mixture that comprises the cryoprotection agent and a solid phase comprising the fermentation product; and, (b) lyophilizing the biphasic mixture, thereby obtaining the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium are provided. In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is selected from the group consisting of disaccharide, polysucrose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments the fermentation product has a Methylobacterium titer of 5×10⁸, 1×10⁹, or 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of solid to about 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the solid substance. In certain embodiments, the disaccharide is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, trehalose, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysucrose has a molecular weight of about 60 to about 80 kilodaltons (kD) or about 300 to about 500 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is sucrose. In certain embodiments, the hydroxyethylcellulose has a molecular weight of about 600 kilodaltons (kD) to about 700 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the methods can further comprise the addition of a protein of plant, animal or microbial origin to the biphasic mixture. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is inanimate. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, a galactan polysaccharide, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the methods can further comprise converting the dried preparation to a powder. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the methods can further comprise the addition of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the methods can further comprise the step of applying the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium to a plant or plant part. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, at least about 50%, 60%, or 70% of Methylobacterium cells in the dried preparation are viable. In certain embodiments of any of the aforementioned methods, the dried preparation is substantially free of water, essentially free of water, or essentially dry. Also provided are compositions comprising the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium made by any of the aforementioned methods. Also provided are plants or plant parts that are at least partially coated with the compositions. In certain embodiments, the plant part is selected from the group consisting of a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, and a leaf. In certain embodiments, the plant part is a seed. In certain embodiments, the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 1×10³ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 1×10⁷ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed. In certain embodiments, the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 1×10⁵ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 5×10⁵ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium is heterologous to the plant or plant part that is at least partially coated with the composition. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium is heterologous to the seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, or leaf that is at least partially coated with the composition. In certain embodiments, any of the aforementioned compositions, plants or plant parts can comprise or be at least partially coated with an isolated Methylobacterium selected from the group consisting of NLS0017 (NRRL B-50931), NLS0020 (NRRL B-50930), NLS0021 (NRRL B-50939), NLS0037 (NRRL B-50941), NLS0038 (NRRL B-50942), NLS0042 (NRRL B-50932), NLS0046 (NRRL B-50929), NLS0062 (NRRL B-50937), NLS0064 (NRRL B-50938), NLS0065 (NRRL B-50935), NLS0066 (NRRL B-50940), NLS0068 (NRRL B-50934), NLS0069 (NRRL B-50936), NLS0089 (NRRL B-50933), and derivatives thereof.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and form a part of the specification, illustrate certain embodiments of the present invention. In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a photomicrograph of an aliquot of a fermentation product comprising liquid media, a solid (diatom shells), and Methylobacterium. The solid diatom shell and adherent Methylobacterium are indicated by the labels in the photomicrograph. The Methylobacterium strain is DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens.

FIG. 2 is a photomicrograph of an aliquot of a fermentation product comprising liquid media, a solid (diatom shells), and Methylobacterium. The solid diatom shell, adherent Methylobacterium, and non-adherent Methylobacterium are indicated by the labels in the photomicrograph. The Methylobacterium strain is DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens.

FIG. 3 A, B, C are photographs of test tubes containing liquid media with non-particulate solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium. In 3A, liquid media containing cotton tufts with adherent Methylobacterium that impart a dark pink color to the cotton are shown. In 3B, liquid media containing glass wool with adherent Methylobacterium that impart a pink color to the glass wool are shown. In 3C, liquid media containing body scrub material with adherent Methylobacterium that impart a pink color to the body scrub material are shown. The Methylobacterium strain is DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens.

FIG. 4 is a photomicrograph of a showing PPFM strain ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense adhered to cotton fibers. The cotton fibers, adherent Methylobacterium, and non-adherent Methylobacterium are indicated by the labels in the photomicrograph.

FIG. 5 is a high-magnification photograph of three lettuce seeds that are coated with a dried preparation of Methylobacterium that were adhered to diatomaceous earth (bottom 3 seeds) and an uncoated control seed (labelled “Non-powdered seed” at top of photo).

DESCRIPTION Definitions

As used herein, the phrases “adhered thereto” and “adherent” refer to Methylobacterium that are associated with a solid substance by growing, or having been grown, on a solid substance.

As used herein, the phrase “agriculturally acceptable adjuvant” refers to a substance that enhances the performance of an active agent in a composition for treatment of plants and/or plant parts. In certain compositions, an active agent can comprise a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium.

As used herein, the phrase “agriculturally acceptable excipient” refers to an essentially inert substance that can be used as a diluent and/or carrier for an active agent in a composition for treatment of plants. In certain compositions, an active agent can comprise a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium.

As used herein, the term “algae” refers to any type of micro- or macroalgae.

As used herein, the term “Methylobacterium” refers to bacteria that are facultative methylotrophs of the genus Methylobacterium. The term Methylobacterium, as used herein, thus does not encompass include species in the genera Methylobacter, Methylomonas, Methylomicrobium, Methylococcus, Methylosinus, Methylocystis, Methylosphaera, Methylocaldum, and Methylocella, which are obligate methanotrophs.

As used herein, the phrase “co-culture of Methylobacterium” refers to a Methylobacterium culture comprising at least two strains of Methylobacterium or at least two species of Methylobacterium.

As used herein, the phrase “contaminating microorganism” refers to microorganisms in a culture, fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition that were not identified prior to introduction into the culture, fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition.

As used herein, the phrase “derivatives thereof”, when used in the context of a Methylobacterium isolate, refers to any strain that is obtained from the Methylobacterium isolate. Derivatives of a Methylobacterium isolate include, but are not limited to, variants of the strain obtained by selection, variants of the strain selected by mutagenesis and selection, and a genetically transformed strain obtained from the Methylobacterium isolate.

As used herein, the phrase “essentially free of contaminating microorganisms” refers to a culture, fermentation broth, fermentation product, or composition where at least about 95% of the microorganisms present by amount or type in the culture, fermentation broth, fermentation product, or composition are the desired Methylobacterium or other desired microorganisms of pre-determined identity.

As used herein, the term “heterologous”, when used in the context of Methylobacterium that at least partially coats a plant or plant part, refers to a Methylobacterium that is not naturally associated with a plant or plant part of the same species as the plant or plant part that is at least partially coated with the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the heterologous Methylobacterium that is used to at least partially coat a plant or plant part of a first plant species is a Methylobacterium that was isolated, or can be isolated, from a second and distinct plant species.

As used herein, the phrase “inanimate solid substance” refers to a substance which is insoluble or partially soluble in water or aqueous solutions and which is either non-living or which is not a part of a still-living organism from which it was derived.

As used herein, the phrase “mono-culture of Methylobacterium” refers to a Methylobacterium culture consisting of a single strain of Methylobacterium.

As used herein, a “pesticide” refers to an agent that is insecticidal, fungicidal, nematocidal, bacteriocidal, or any combination thereof.

As used herein, the phrase “bacteriostatic agent” refers to agents that inhibit growth of bacteria but do not kill the bacteria.

As used herein, the phrase “pesticide does not substantially inhibit growth of said Methylobacterium” refers to any pesticide that when provided in a composition comprising a fermentation product comprising a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto, results in no more than a 50% inhibition of Methylobacterium growth when the composition is applied to a plant or plant part in comparison to a composition lacking the pesticide. In certain embodiments, the pesticide results in no more than a 40%, 20%, 10%, 5%, or 1% inhibition of Methylobacterium growth when the composition is applied to a plant or plant part in comparison to a composition lacking the pesticide.

As used herein, the term “PPFM bacteria” refers without limitation to bacterial species in the genus Methylobacterium other than M. nodulans.

As used herein, the phrase “solid substance” refers to a substance which is insoluble or partially soluble in water or aqueous solutions.

As used herein, the phrase “solid phase that can be suspended therein” refers to a solid substance that can be distributed throughout a liquid by agitation.

As used herein, the term “non-regenerable” refers to either a plant part or processed plant product that cannot be regenerated into a whole plant.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially all of the solid phase is suspended in the liquid phase” refers to media wherein at least 95%, 98%, or 99% of solid substance(s) comprising the solid phase are distributed throughout the liquid by agitation.

As used herein, the phrase “substantially all of the solid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase” refers to media where less than 5%, 2%, or 1% of the solid is in a particulate form that is distributed throughout the media by agitation.

As used herein, the term “yield”, when used in reference to Methylobacterium obtained in a fermentation, refers to the numbers of Methylobacterium obtained. Methods for determining such yield include, but are not limited to, determining the numbers of colony forming units (CFU) per unit volume or unit mass of material obtained, determining a wet weight of the Methylobacterium obtained, and/or determining a dry weight of the Methylobacterium obtained.

To the extent to which any of the preceding definitions is inconsistent with definitions provided in any patent or non-patent reference incorporated herein by reference, any patent or non-patent reference cited herein, or in any patent or non-patent reference found elsewhere, it is understood that the preceding definition will be used herein.

Methods for Culturing Methylobacterium, Compositions, and Uses Thereof

Methods where Methylobacterium are cultured in biphasic media comprising a liquid phase and a solid substance have been found to significantly increase the resultant yield of Methylobacterium relative to methods where the Methylobacterium are cultured in liquid media alone. In certain embodiments, the methods can comprise growing the Methylobacterium in liquid media with a particulate solid substance that can be suspended in the liquid by agitation under conditions that provide for Methylobacterium growth. In certain embodiments where particulate solid substances are used, at least substantially all of the solid phase can thus be suspended in the liquid phase upon agitation. Such particulate solid substances can comprise materials that are about 1 millimeter or less in length or diameter. In certain embodiments, the degree of agitation is sufficient to provide for uniform distribution of the particulate solid substance in the liquid phase and/or optimal levels of culture aeration. However, in other embodiments provided herein, at least substantially all of the solid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase, or portions of the solid phase are suspended in the liquid phase and portions of the solid phase are not suspended in the liquid phase. Non-particulate solid substances can be used in certain biphasic media where the solid phase is not suspended in the liquid phase. Such non-particulate solid substances include, but are not limited to, materials that are greater than about 1 millimeter in length or diameter. Such particulate and non-particulate solid substances also include, but are not limited to, materials that are porous, fibrous, or otherwise configured to provide for increased surface areas for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium. Biphasic media where portions of the solid phase are suspended in the liquid phase and portions of the solid phase are not suspended in the liquid phase can comprise a mixture of particulate and non-particulate solid substances. Such particulate and non-particulate solid substances used in any of the aforementioned biphasic media also include, but are not limited to, materials that are porous, fibrous, or otherwise configured to provide for increased surface areas for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the methods can comprise obtaining a biphasic culture media comprising the liquid, the solid, and Methylobacterium and incubating the culture under conditions that provide for growth of the Methylobacterium. Biphasic culture medias comprising the liquid, the solid, and Methylobacterium can be obtained by a variety of methods that include, but are not limited to, any of: (a) inoculating a biphasic media comprising the liquid and the solid substance with Methylobacterium: (b) inoculating the solid substance with Methylobacterium and then introducing the solid substance comprising the Methylobacterium into the liquid media; (c) inoculating the solid substance with Methylobacterium, incubating the Methylobacterium on the solid substance, and then introducing the solid substance comprising the Methylobacterium into the liquid media; or (d) any combination of (a), (b), or (c). The methods can also further comprise the steps of harvesting the mono- or co-culture of Methylobacterium. Methods for harvesting the Methylobacterium can include, but are not limited to, separating the Methylobacterium from the liquid phase by filtration, centrifugation, decanting, and the like. Harvested Methylobacterium obtained by these methods can be Methylobacterium that are adhered to the solid substance, Methylobacterium that are not adhered to the solid substance, and combinations thereof.

Agitation methods that can be used include, but are not limited to, stirring, reciprocal shaking, rotary shaking, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, agitation can comprise placing liquid media containing the solid substances on a rotary shaker that provides at least 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, or 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM). Agitation equivalent to that provided by a rotary shaker set at least at 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, or 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM) can also be obtained by stirring, reciprocal shaking, and other methods. In certain embodiments, at least substantially all of the solid phase, or a portion of the solid phase, can be suspended in the liquid phase upon agitation equivalent to that provided by a rotary shaker set at least at 25, 50, 100, 200, 250, 500, or 1000 revolutions per minute (RPM).

In certain embodiments, harvested material comprising a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can be disassociated. Dissociation can be effected by any techniques that permit the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto to be broken into smaller elements. Disassociation techniques including, but are not limited to, macerating, grinding, crushing, sonicating, and/or partially dissolving the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can be used to break the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto into smaller elements. Such smaller elements include, but are not limited to, non-particulate solid substances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto and particles of the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto. Such non-particulate and/or particulate solid substances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can either be directly applied to plants or plant parts or incorporated into compositions that can be applied to plants or plant parts. In certain embodiments, the solid substances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto are broken into particles of about 1 millimeter in diameter or less. In certain embodiments, a harvested solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto is disassociated into particles of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, a harvested solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto is disassociated into particles of about 1 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, a harvested solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto is disassociated into particles of about 1, 2, 4, 10, 20, or 40 microns to any of about 100, 200, 500, 750, or 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium titer of the particles obtained by disassociation is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of particles to at least about 6×10¹⁰, 3×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of particles. In certain embodiments, a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto will also comprise non-adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, solid substances that further comprising both adherent Methylobacterium and non-adherent Methylobacterium can also be disassociated to obtain any of the aforementioned fragments or particles. In still other embodiments, solid substances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can be disassociated and non-adherent Methylobacterium can then be added to the disassociated solid substances comprising adherent Methylobacterium.

Solid substances with Methylobacterium adhered thereto can be disassociated when they are in either a wet or moist form or a dry form. Drying of the solid substance with Methylobacterium can be effected by any technique that maintains viability of the majority of the adherent Methylobacterium, and, when present, non-adherent Methylobacterium. Such drying techniques include, but are not limited to, lyophilization, desiccation, heating, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, drying can be thus effected after disassociation of a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto to obtain fragments or particles of the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto. In other embodiments, a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto, or a solid substance further comprising both adherent Methylobacterium and non-adherent Methylobacterium, can be dried and then dissociated. In certain embodiments where the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto, or a solid substance further comprising both adherent Methylobacterium and non-adherent Methylobacterium, is dried and then disassociated, solid substances that become friable upon drying can be used as the solid substance in the Methylobacterium fermentation process. Examples of such solid substances that become friable upon drying and that can be used in methods provided herein include, but are not limited to, certain materials of plant origin (e.g. certain materials comprising cellulose, hemi-cellulose, and/or lignin), and the like.

Biphasic fermentation broths used in the methods provided herein can be axenic cultures that are essentially free of contaminating microorganisms. In certain embodiments, at least about 95%, 98%, 99%, 99.5%, 99.8%, 99.9%, or 100% of the microorganisms present by amount or type in the culture, fermentation broth, fermentation product, or compositions provided herein are the desired Methylobacterium or other desired microorganisms of pre-determined identity. Desired Methylobacterium or other desired microorganisms of pre-determined identity are microorganisms obtained from a pure culture. To provide for such axenic cultures, the liquid and solid components used in the biphasic culture media are sterilized or obtained in an essentially sterile form prior to inoculation of Methylobacterium and/or any additional desired microorganisms in the mono- or co-culture. Sterilization of various solid and liquid components can be achieved by methods including, but not limited to, autoclaving, irradiation, filter sterilization (for liquids), and the like. A culture, fermentation broth, fermentation product, or composition that is essentially free of contaminating microorganisms can be obtained where the liquid and/or solid components of that culture, fermentation broth, fermentation product, or composition were sterile prior to the inoculation or provision of the desired microorganisms of pre-determined identity and suitable steps are taken to avoid contamination of the culture during growth of the desired microorganisms or contamination of the composition.

Methods provided herein where Methylobacterium are cultured in biphasic media comprising a liquid phase and a solid substance can be practiced in any of a batch-mode fermentation, a fed-batch mode fermentation, or a continuous fermentation. Fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions provided herein can also be obtained from any of a batch-mode fermentation, a fed-batch mode fermentation, or a continuous fermentation. In certain embodiments, factors such as the pH and oxygen concentration can be controlled in any of the batch-mode fermentation, fed-batch mode fermentation, or continuous fermentation processes used in the methods provided herein.

Monocultures or co-cultures of Methylobacterium and resultant fermentation broths and fermentation broth products provided herein can comprise one or more Methylobacterium that include, but are not limited to, M. aminovorans, M. chloromethanicum, M. dichloromethanicum, M. extorquens, M. fujisawaense, M. mesophilicum, M. organophilum, M. radiotolerans, M. rhodesianum, M. rhodinum, M. thiocyanatum, M. nodulans, M. cerastii, M. gossiplicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378 M. phyllosphaerae M. oryzae, M. platani, M. populi, and M. zatmanii. In certain embodiments, monocultures or co-cultures of Methylobacterium and resultant fermentation broths and fermentation broth products provided herein can consist of one or more Methylobacterium. However, the methods provided herein can also be used on other Methylobacterium. Methylobacterium can also be obtained by various published methods (Madhaiyan et al., 2007). In certain embodiments, such other Methylobacterium that can be used will be Methylobacterium having 16S RNA sequences of at least about 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, or 95% sequence identity to the 16S RNA sequences of other known Methylobacterium. Typing of Methylobacterium by use of 16S RNA sequence comparisons is at least described by Cao et al, 2011. In certain embodiments, the mono-cultures or co-cultures and resultant products can comprise a Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts. Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts include, but are not limited to, M. extorquens, M. nodulans, and M. mesophilicum. Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts also include, but are not limited to, Methylobacterium cerastii species (with a representative strain available as DSM 23679 from the Leibniz Institute DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (“DSMZ”), Braunschweig, Germany), Methylobacterium gossipiicola species (with a representative strain available as NRRL B-51692 from the USDA ARS, Peoria, Ill., USA). Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378 (available from the Belgian Co-ordinated Collection of Micro-organisms/Laboratorium voor Microbiologie (“BCCLM”) Ghent, Belgium), Methylobacterium phyllosphaerae species (with a representative strain available as available as DSM 19779T from the DSMZ), Methylobacterium oryzae species (with a representative strain available as DSM 18207T from the DSMZ), Methylobacterium nodulans species (with a representative strain available as LMG21967 from the BCCLM), Methylobacterium platani species (with a representative strain available as KCTC 12901 from the Korean Collection for Type Cultures, Yusong-Ku, Taejon, K R (“KCTC”), and Methylobacterium populi species (with a representative strain available as ATCC BAA-705 from the ATCC). Fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, compositions, methods of making the same, and methods of using the same, including, but not limited to, methods of treating plants, where the Methylobacterium is a Methylobacterium that can colonize a plant and/or a plant part that is selected from the group consisting of M. extorquens. M. nodulans, M. mesophilicum, M. cerastii, M. gossipiicola, Methylobacterium sp. strain LMG6378, M. phyllosphaerae, M. oryzae, M. platani, and M. populi are thus provided. Methods of isolating other Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts have been described in various publications and can also be used (see Madhaiyan et al., and references cited therein). Without seeking to be limited by theory, it is believed that the methods of culturing Methylobacterium in a biphasic media comprising a liquid and a solid substance provided herein can be especially advantageous for growing Methylobacterium that can colonize plants and/or plant parts or that were isolated from the surfaces of plants and/or plant parts.

Representative Methylobacterium that can be used in the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, compositions and related methods provided herein include, but are not limited to, the Methylobacterium of Table 1.

TABLE 1 Representative Methylobacterium Methylobacterium Depository Accession Numbers for Type Strain Methylobacterium AR27 = CCM 7305 = CECT 7069 = DSM adhaesivum 17169T = KCTC 22099T Methylobacterium DSM 19013 = JCM 16406 = KACC 11766 aerolatum Methylobacterium ATCC 51358 = CIP 105328 = IFO (now aminovorans NBRC) 15686 = JCM 8240 = VKM B-2145 Methylobacterium CCM 7218 = CECT 5998 = CIP 108333 = aquaticum DSM 16371 Methylobacterium DSM 19569 = NBRC 103629 = NCIMB 14379 brachiatum Methylobacterium DSM 21893 = LMG 24788 bullatum Methylobacterium CCM 7788 = CCUG 60040 = DSM 23679 cerastii Methylobacterium NCIMB 13688 = VKM B-2223 chloromethanicum Methylobacterium CIP 106787 = DSM 6343 = VKM B-2191 dichloromethanicum Methylobacterium ATCC 43645 = CCUG 2084 = DSM 1337 = IAM extorquens 12631 = IFO (now NBRC) 15687 = JCM 2802 = NCCB 78015 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 9399 = VKM B-2064. Methylobacterium ATCC 43884 = CIP 103775 = DSM 5686 = fujisawaense IFO (now NBRC) 15843 = JCM 10890 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 12417 Methylobacterium CCM 7572 = NRRL B-51692 gossipiicola Methylobacterium DSM 19564 = NBRC 103626 = NCIMB gregans 14376 Methylobacterium GP34 = CCM 7219 = CECT 5997 = CIP hispanicum 108332 = DSM 16372 Methylobacterium iners DSM 19015 = JCM 16407 = KACC 11765 Methylobacterium CCM 7304 = CECT 7068 isbiliense Methylobacterium KCTC 12671 = LMG 23639 jeotgali Methylobacterium DSM 19563 = NBRC 103627 = NCIMB komagatae 14377 Methylobacterium CECT 7806 = DSM 23933 longum Methylobacterium DSM 14457 = NCIMB 13779 = VKM B- lusitanum 2239 Methylobacterium CCUG 56108 = DSM 21328 marchantiae Methylobacterium ATCC 29983 = CCUG 16482 = CIP mesophilicum 101129 = DSM 1708 = ICPB 4095 = IFO (now NBRC) 15688 = JCM 2829 = LMG 5275 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 11561 = NRRL B-14246 Methylobacterium LMG 21967 = ORS 2060 nodulans Methylobacterium ATCC 27886 = CIP 101049 = DSM 760 = organophilum HAMBI 2263 = IFO (now NBRC) 15689 = JCM 2833 = LMG 6083 = NCCB 78041 = VKM B-2066 Methylobacterium DSM 18207 = JCM 16405 = KACC 11585 = oryzae LMG 23582 Methylobacterium DSM 19562 = NBRC 103628 = NCIMB persicinum 14378 Methylobacterium DSM 19779 = JCM 16408 = KACC 11716 = phyllosphaerae LMG 24361 Methylobacterium JCM 14648 = KCTC 12901 platani Methylobacterium ATCC BAA-547 = DSM 15083 podarium Methylobacterium ATCC BAA-705 = NCIMB 13946 populi Methylobacterium ATCC 27329 = CIP 101128 = DSM 1819 = radiotolerans IFO (now NBRC) 15690 = JCM 2831 = LMG 2269 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 10815 = VKM B-2144 Methylobacterium ATCC 14821 = CIP 101127 = DSM 2163 = rhodinum IFO (now NBRC) 15691 = JCM 2811 = LMG 2275 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 9421 = VKM B-2065 Methylobacterium DSM 14458 = NCIMB 13778 = VKM B- suomiense 2238 Methylobacterium DSM 19566 = NBRC 103632 = NCIMB tardum 14380 Methylobacterium ATCC 700647 = DSM 11490 = JCM thiocyanatum 10893 = VKM B-2197 Methylobacterium CCM 7281 = CECT 7045 = DSM 16961 variabile Methylobacterium ATCC 43883 = CCUG 36916 = CIP zatmanii 103774 = DSM 5688 = IFO (now NBRC) 15845 = JCM 10892 = LMG 6087 = NCIB (now NCIMB) 12243 = VKM B-2161 Depository Key ATCC: American Type Tissue Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, USA CCUG: Culture Collection, University of Göteborg, Sweden CIP: Collection de l'Institut Pasteur, Paris, FR DSM: DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (“DSMZ”), Braunschweig, Germany JCM: Japan Collection of Microorganisms, Saitama, Japan LMG: Belgian Co-ordinated Collection of Micro-organisms/Laboratorium voor Microbiologie (“BCCLM”) Ghent, Belgium NBRC: Biological Resource Center (NBRC), Chiba, Japan NCIMB: National Collections of Industrial, Food and Marine Bacteria, UK NRRL: USDA ARS, Peoria, IL., USA

Also provided herein are compositions, methods of making the compositions, methods of using the compositions, and plants or plant parts that are at least partially coated with the compositions, where the compositions or methods comprise or use any of the following Methylobacterium sp. isolates provided in the following Table 1 or derivatives of the isolates. In certain embodiments, such derivatives can include variants. In certain embodiments, the Methylobacterium are lyophilized with a with at least one cryoprotection agent. Such derivatives can include, but are not limited to, variants of the isolates obtained by selection, variants of the isolates selected by mutagenesis and selection, and genetically transformed isolates obtained from the isolates.

TABLE 2 Methylobacterium sp. isolates USDA ARS NLS NRRL No.¹ NLS0017 NRRL B-50931 NLS0020 NRRL B-50930 NLS0021 NRRL B-50939 NLS0037 NRRL B-50941 NLS0038 NRRL B-50942 NLS0042 NRRL B-50932 NLS0046 NRRL B-50929 NLS0062 NRRL B-50937 NLS0064 NRRL B-50938 NLS0065 NRRL B-50935 NLS0066 NRRL B-50940 NLS0068 NRRL B-50934 NLS0069 NRRL B-50936 NLS0089 NRRL B-50933 ¹Deposit number for strain deposited with the AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH SERVICE CULTURE COLLECTION (NRRL) of the National Center for Agricultural Utilization Research, Agricultural Research Service, U.S. Department of Agriculture, 1815 North University Street, Peoria, Illinois 61604 U.S.A. under the terms of the Budapest Treaty on the International Recognition of the Deposit of Microorganisms for the Purposes of Patent Procedure. Subject to 37 CFR §1.808(b), all restrictions imposed by the depositor on the availability to the public of the deposited material will be irrevocably removed upon the granting of any patent from this patent application.

The use of certain Methylobacterium isolates provided in Table 2 to provide useful traits in crop plants such as lettuce, corn, soybean, fruit plants, and tomato is described in co-assigned International Patent Applications PCT/US14/68558, PCT/US14/68657, PCT/US14/68660, PCT/US14/68663, and PCT/US14/68611, respectively. Co-assigned International Patent Applications PCT/US14/68558, PCT/US14/68657, PCT/US14/68660, PCT/US14/68663, and PCT/US14/68611, were filed on Dec. 4, 2014, designate the United States, and are all incorporated herein by reference in their entireties.

In certain embodiments, the mono-cultures or co-cultures and resultant fermentation broths and fermentation broth products can comprise one or more Methylobacterium isolates or mutants that produce increased levels of useful nutrients or plant growth regulators. U.S. Pat. No. 8,153,118 discloses various Methylobacterium isolates that produce increased levels of vitamin B-12 and amino acids that can be used in the methods and compositions provided herein. Fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions that comprise one or more of the Methylobacterium such as Methylobacterium mutant B12-11 having accession number ATCC PTA-1561 that overproduces vitamin B-12, Methylobacterium rhodinum (ATCC #43282) that over-produces the amino acid threonine, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21371) that over-produces the amino acid L-glutamic acid, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21372) that over-produces the amino acid L-glutamic acid, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21926) over-produces the amino acid L-lysine, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21969) over-produces the amino acid L-glutamic acid, Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21927) over-produces the amino acids L-lysine, L-aspartic acid, L-alanine, L-valine, L-leucine, and L-arginine, and/or Methylobacterium sp. (ATCC #21438) that produces single-cell protein are also provided.

In certain embodiments, the fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or compositions provided herein can further comprise one or more introduced microorganisms of pre-determined identity other than Methylobacterium. Other microorganisms that can be added include, but are not limited to, microorganisms that are biopesticidal or provide some other benefit when applied to a plant or plant part. Biopesticidal or otherwise beneficial microorganisms thus include, but are not limited to, various Bacillus sp., Pseudomonas sp., Coniothyrium sp., Panioea sp., Streptomyces sp., and Trichoderma sp. Microbial biopesticides can be a bacterium, fungus, virus, or protozoan. Particularly useful biopesticidal microorganisms include various Bacillus sublilis, Bacillus thuringiensis, Bacillus pumilis, Pseudomonas syringae, Trichoderma harzianum, Trichoderma virens, and Streptomyces lydicus strains. Other microorganisms that are added can be genetically engineered or naturally occurring isolates that are available as pure cultures. In certain embodiments, it is anticipated that the bacterial or fungal microorganism can be provided in the fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition in the form of a spore. Still other microorganisms that can be added include, but are not limited to, microorganisms that are photosynthetic microorganisms. Such photosynthetic organisms include, but are not limited to, algae. Such algae can include, but are not limited to, algae of the genii of Prolococcus, Ulva, Codium, Enleromorpha, Neochloris, and/or Chlamydomonas.

In certain embodiments, the liquid culture medium is prepared from inexpensive and readily available components, including, but not limited to, inorganic salts such as potassium phosphate, magnesium sulfate and the like, carbon sources such as glycerol, methanol, glutamic acid, aspartic acid, succinic acid and the like, and amino acid blends such as peptone, tryptone, and the like. Exemplary liquid media that can be used include, but are not limited to, ammonium mineral salts (AMS) medium (Whittenbury et al., 1970), Vogel-Bonner (VB) minimal culture medium (Vogel and Bonner, 1956), and LB broth (“Luria-Bertani Broth”).

In general, the solid substance used in the methods and compositions that provide for the efficient growth of Methylobacterium can be any suitable solid substance which is insoluble or only partially soluble in water or aqueous solutions. Such suitable solid substances are also non-bacteriocidal or non-bacteriostatic with respect to Methylobacterium when the solid substances are provided in the liquid culture media. In certain embodiments, such suitable solid substances are also solid substances that are readily obtained in sterile form or rendered sterile. Solid substances used herein can be sterilized by any method that provides for removal of contaminating microorganisms and thus include, but are not limited to, methods such as autoclaving, irradiation, chemical treatment, and any combination thereof. These solid substances include natural substances of animal, plant, microbial, fungal, or mineral origin, manmade substances, or combinations of natural and manmade substances. In certain embodiments, the solid substances are inanimate solid substances. Inanimate solid substances of animal, plant, microbial, or fungal origin can be obtained from animals, plants, microbes, or fungi that are inviable (i.e. no longer living) or that have been rendered inviable. Diatom shells are thus inanimate solid substances when previously associated diatom algae have been removed or otherwise rendered inviable. Since diatom shells are inanimate solid substances, they are not considered to be photosynthetic organisms or photosynthetic microorganisms. In certain embodiments, solid substances include, but are not limited to, sand, silt, soil, clay, ash, charcoal, diatomaceous earth and other similar minerals, ground glass or glass beads, ground ceramic materials, ceramic beads, bentonite, kaolin, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartz powder, montmorillonite, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be a polymer or polymeric beads. Polymers that can be used as a solid substance include, but are not limited to, various polysaccharides such as cellulosic polymers and chitinous polymers which are insoluble or only partially soluble in water or aqueous solutions, agar (i.e. galactans), and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be an insoluble or only partially soluble salt crystal. Salt crystals that can be used include, but are not limited to, insoluble or only partially soluble carbonates, chromates, sulfites, phosphates, hydroxides, oxides, and sulfides. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be a microbial cell, fungal cell, microbial spore, or fungal spore. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be a microbial cell or microbial spore wherein the microbial cell or microbial spore is not a photosynthetic microorganism. In certain embodiments, the microbial cell or microbial spore is not a photosynthetic microorganism, where the photosynthetic microorganism is selected from the group consisting of algae, cyanobacteria, diatoms, Botryococcus braunii, Chlorella, Dunaliella tertiolecta, Gracilaria, Pleurochrysis carterae, Sargassum, and Ulva. In still other embodiments, the solid substance can be an inactivated (i.e. inviable) microbial cell, fungal cell, microbial spore, or fungal spore. In still other embodiments, the solid substance can be a quiescent (i.e. viable but not actively dividing) microbial cell, fungal cell, microbial spore, or fungal spore. In still other embodiments, the solid substance can be cellular debris of microbial origin. In still other embodiments, the solid substance can be particulate matter from any part of a plant. Plant parts that can be used to obtain the solid substance include, but are not limited to, cobs, husks, hulls, leaves, roots, flowers, stems, bark, seeds, and combinations thereof. Products obtained from processed plant parts including but not limited to, bagasse, wheat bran, soy grits, crushed seed cake, stover, and the like can also be used. Such plant parts, processed plants, and/or processed plant parts can be milled to obtain the solid material in a particulate form that can be used. In certain embodiments, wood or a wood product including, but not limited to, wood pulp, sawdust, shavings, and the like can be used. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be a particulate matter from an animal(s), including, but not limited to, bone meal, gelatin, ground or powdered shells, hair, macerated hide, and the like.

In certain embodiments, the solid substance is provided in a particulate form that provides for distribution of the solid substance in the culture media. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is comprised of particle of about 2 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is comprised of particle of about 1 microns to about 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is a particle of about 1, 2, 4, 10, 20, or 40 microns to any of about 100, 200, 500, 750, or 1000 microns in average length or average diameter. Desirable characteristics of particles used in the methods and compositions provided herein include suitable wettability such that the particles can be suspended throughout the media upon agitation.

In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be a solid substance that provides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium on the solid substance. Methylobacterium that are adhered to a solid substance are Methylobacterium that cannot be substantially removed by simply washing the solid substance with the adherent Methylobacterium with growth media whereas non-adherent Methylobacterium can be substantially removed by washing the solid substance with liquid growth media. In this context, “substantially removed” means that at least about 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, or 80% the Methylobacterium present are removed when the solid substance is washed with three volumes of liquid growth media. Such washing can be effected by a variety of methods including, by not limited to, decanting liquid from a washed solid phase or passing liquid through a solid phase on a filter that permits flow through of bacteria in the liquid. In certain embodiments, the adherent Methylobacterium that are associated with the solid can include both Methylobacterium that are directly attached to the solid and/or Methylobacterium that are indirectly attached to the solid substance. Methylobacterium that are indirectly attached to the solid substance include, but are not limited to, Methylobacterium that are attached to another Methylobacterium or to another microorganism that is attached to the solid substance, Methylobacterium that are attached to the solid substance by being attached to another substance that is attached to the solid substance, and the like. In certain embodiments, at least 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, 98%, 99%, 99.5% or 99.9% of the Methylobacterium in the fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or compositions are Methylobacterium that are adhered to the solid substance. In certain embodiments, adherent Methylobacterium can be present on the surface of the solid substance in the fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition at a density of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/5 square micrometers, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers, or of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer. In certain embodiments, adherent Methylobacterium can be present on the surface of the solid substance in the fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition at a density of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/5 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer, or of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/square micrometer. In certain embodiments, adherent Methylobacterium can be present on the surface of the solid substance in the fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition at a density of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/20 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium 2 square micrometers, of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/10 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium 2 square micrometers, or of at least about 1 Methylobacterium/5 square micrometers to about 1 Methylobacterium/2 square micrometers. Biphasic fermentation broths provided herein can comprise a liquid phase that contains non-adherent Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, titers of non-adherent Methylobacterium in the liquid phase can be less than about 100,000, 10,000, or 1,000 CFU/ml.

Biphasic culture methods provided can yield fermentation broths with Methylobacterium at a titer of greater than about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter, at a titer of greater than about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter, at a titer of greater than about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at a titer of at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, fermentation broths provided herein can comprise Methylobacterium at a titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 4×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, fermentation broths provided herein can comprise Methylobacterium at a titer of at least about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 4×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, fermentation broths provided herein will comprise Methylobacterium at a titer of at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 4×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, fermentation broths provided herein will comprise Methylobacterium at a titer of, at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 4×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter.

Also provided herein are methods for obtaining a Methylobacterium preparation where the Methylobacterium either are grown in a culture vessel that comprises or contains one or more solid surfaces that provide for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium or are grown in media that comprises a liquid phase and a solid phase, and then harvested by removal from the solid surface or the solid phase to which they have adhered. In certain embodiments where a solid surface that provides for adherent growth of the Methylobacterium is used, the solid surface can form part of the culture vessel itself. In still other embodiments, a solid surface that is contained in a culture vessel is a solid surface that can be detached from the culture vessel, particularly after or during the course of a fermentation run, to facilitate removal of the adherent Methylobacterium. Exemplary and non-limiting solid surfaces include beads, rings, cylinder and other shapes that provide for improved surface area to volume ratios. Solid surfaces used in the culture vessel can be either porous or smooth. Exemplary solid surfaces used culture vessels can be made from materials that include, but are not limited to, coated or uncoated metals, glass, plastics, ceramics, or combinations thereof that permit adherent growth of Methylobacterium. Following the culturing, Methylobacterium that have adhered to the solid surface or the solid phase can be harvested by one or more of a physical and/or chemical treatment(s). In certain embodiments of these methods, non-adherent Methylobacterium that have accumulated in the liquid phase can also be harvested. Chemical treatments used to harvest the Methylobacterium include, but are not limited to, exposing the adherent Methylobacterium to a shift in ionic strength, a shift in pH, a detergent treatment, a solvent treatment, an enzymatic treatment, and combinations thereof. Enzymatic treatments used to harvest the Methylobacterium can include, but are not limited to, exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or to the solid phase to a protease, a lipase, a glucanase, or any combination thereof. Detergent treatments used to harvest the Methylobacterium can include, but are not limited to, exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or the solid phase to an ionic detergent, a non-ionic detergent, or any combination thereof. Physical treatments used to harvest the Methylobacterium can include, but are not limited to, exposing Methylobacterium adhered to the solid surface or to the solid phase to sonication, scraping, a pressurized liquid, a pressurized slurry, heat, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, non-adherent Methylobacterium can be harvested from the liquid in the culture vessel. In still other embodiments, non-adherent Methylobacterium can be harvested from the liquid in the culture vessel and adherent Methylobacterium harvested from the solid surface.

Without seeking to be limited by theory, it is believed that the solid in the biphasic culture media provides a surface on which Methylobacterium can adhere to and grow upon. Such adherent growth on the solid in the biphasic culture media is believed to be more rapid (i.e. provide for a decreased doubling time) than growth in the absence of the solid. It is believed that both the number (i.e. colony forming units per milliliter) and density (Methylobacterium per square micrometers) of Methylobacterium will increase during the course of the fermentation until a maximum number and/or density is reached. In certain embodiments, it is believed that daughter cells from an adherent mother cell can either grow on the solid surface, grow on the adherent mother cell, and/or be shed into the liquid phase. It is also thus believed that the number (i.e. colony forming units per milliliter) of Methylobacterium in the liquid phase can increase until a maximum number is reached.

Solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium can be used to make various compositions useful for treating plants or plant parts. Alternatively, fermentation broths or fermentation broth products comprising solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium can be used to treat plants or plant parts. Plants, plant parts, and, in particular, plant seeds that have been at least partially coated with the fermentation broth products or compositions are thus provided. Also provided are processed plant products that contain the fermentation broth products or compositions. Solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium can be used to make various compositions that are particularly useful for treating plant seeds. Seeds that have been at least partially coated with the fermentation broth products or compositions are thus provided. Also provided are processed seed products, including, but not limited to, meal, flour, feed, and flakes that contain the fermentation broth products or compositions provided herein. In certain embodiments, the processed plant product will be non-regenerable (i.e. will be incapable of developing into a plant). In certain embodiments, the solid substance used in the fermentation product or composition that at least partially coats the plant, plant part, or plant seed or that is contained in the processed plant, plant part, or seed product comprises a solid substance and associated or adherent Methylobacterium that can be readily identified by comparing a treated and an untreated plant, plant part, plant seed, or processed product thereof.

Fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, or other compositions comprising solid substances with adherent Methylobacterium can be used to produce industrial products or recombinant proteins or in bioremediation.

Compositions useful for treating plants or plant parts that comprise the solid substance with adherent Methylobacterium can also comprise an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. An agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient is typically an ingredient that does not cause undue phytotoxicity or other adverse effects when exposed to a plant or plant part. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can itself be an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient so long as it is not bacteriocidal or bacteriostatic to the Methylobacterium. In other embodiments, the composition further comprises at least one of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or an agriculturally acceptable excipient. Any of the aforementioned compositions can also further comprise a pesticide. Pesticides used in the composition include, but are not limited to, an insecticide, a fungicide, a nematocide, and a bacteriocide. In certain embodiments, the pesticide used in the composition is a pesticide that does not substantially inhibit growth of the Methylobacterium. As Methylobacterium are gram negative bacteria, suitable bacteriocides used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, bacteriocides that exhibit activity against gram positive bacteria but not gram negative bacteria. Compositions provided herein can also comprise a bacteriostatic agent that does not substantially inhibit growth of the Methylobacterium. Bacteriostatic agents suitable for use in compositions provided herein include, but are not limited to, those that exhibit activity against gram positive bacteria but not gram negative bacteria. Any of the aforementioned compositions can also be an essentially dry product (i.e. having about 5% or less water content), an emulsion, or a suspension.

Agriculturally acceptable adjuvants used in the compositions include, but are not limited to, components that enhance product efficacy and/or products that enhance ease of product application. Adjuvants that enhance product efficacy can include various wetters/spreaders that promote adhesion to and spreading of the composition on plant parts, stickers that promote adhesion to the plant part, penetrants that can promote contact of the active agent with interior tissues, extenders that increase the half-life of the active agent by inhibiting environmental degradation, and humectants that increase the density or drying time of sprayed compositions. Wetters/spreaders used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, non-ionic surfactants, anionic surfactants, cationic surfactants, amphoteric surfactants, organo-silicate surfactants, and/or acidified surfactants. Stickers used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, latex-based substances, terpene/pinolene, and pyrrolidone-based substances. Penetrants can include mineral oil, vegetable oil, esterified vegetable oil, organo-silicate surfactants, and acidified surfactants. Extenders used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, ammonium sulphate, or menthene-based substances. Humectants used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, glycerol, propylene glycol, and diethyl glycol. Adjuvants that improve ease of product application include, but are not limited to, acidifying/buffering agents, anti-foaming/de-foaming agents, compatibility agents, drift-reducing agents, dyes, and water conditioners. Anti-foaming/de-foaming agents used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, dimethopolysiloxane. Compatibility agents used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, ammonium sulphate. Drift-reducing agents used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, polyacrylamides, and polysaccharides. Water conditioners used in the compositions can include, but are not limited to, ammonium sulphate.

Methods of treating plants and/or plant parts with the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions are also provided herein. Treated plants, and treated plant parts obtained therefrom, include, but are not limited to, corn, Brassica sp. (e.g., B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea), alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, millet (e.g., pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica), finger millet (Eleusine coracana)), sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus), cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beets, sugarcane, oats, barley, tomatoes lettuce, green beans, lima beans, peas, cucurbits such as cucumber, cantaloupe, and musk melon, ornamentals, and conifers. Plant parts that are treated include, but are not limited to, leaves, stems, flowers, roots, seeds, fruit, tubers, coleoptiles, and the like. Ornamental plants and plant parts that can be treated include, but are not limited to azalea, hydrangea, hibiscus, roses, tulips, daffodils, petunias, carnation, poinsettia, and chrysanthemum. Conifer plants and plant parts that can be treated include, but are not limited to, pines such as loblolly pine, slash pine, ponderosa pine, lodgepole pine, and Monterey pine; Douglas-fir; Western hemlock; Sitka spruce; redwood; true firs such as silver fir and balsam fir, and cedars such as Western red cedar and Alaska yellow-cedar. Turfgrass plants and plant parts that can be treated include, but are not limited to, annual bluegrass, annual ryegrass, Canada bluegrass, fescue, bentgrass, wheatgrass, Kentucky bluegrass, orchard grass, ryegrass, redtop, Bermuda grass, St. Augustine grass, and zoysia grass. Seeds or other propagules of any of the aforementioned plants can be treated with the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and/or compositions provided herein.

In certain embodiments, plants and/or plant parts are treated by applying the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and compositions as a spray. Such spray applications include, but are not limited to, treatments of a single plant part or any combination of plant parts. Spraying can be achieved with any device that will distribute the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and compositions to the plant and/or plant part(s). Useful spray devices include a boom sprayer, a hand or backpack sprayer, crop dusters (i.e. aerial spraying), and the like. Spraying devices and or methods providing for application of the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and compositions to either one or both of the adaxial surface and/or abaxial surface can also be used. Plants and/or plant parts that are at least partially coated with any of a biphasic fermentation broth, a fermentation broth product, fermentation product, or compositions that comprise a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto are also provided herein. Also provided herein are processed plant products that comprise a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto.

In certain embodiments, seeds are treated by exposing the seeds to the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, fermentation products, and compositions provided herein. Seeds can be treated with the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions provided herein by methods including, but not limited to, imbibition, coating, spraying, and the like. Seed treatments can be effected with both continuous and/or a batch seed treaters. In certain embodiments, the coated seeds may be prepared by slurrying seeds with a coating composition containing a fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or compositions provided that comprise the solid substance with Methylobacterium and air drying the resulting product. Air drying can be accomplished at any temperature that is not deleterious to the seed or the Methylobacterium, but will typically not be greater than 30 degrees Centigrade. The proportion of coating that comprises a solid substance and Methylobacterium includes, but is not limited to, a range of 0.1 to 25% by weight of the seed, 0.5 to 5% by weight of the seed, and 0.5 to 2.5% by weight of seed. In certain embodiments, a solid substance used in the seed coating or treatment will have Methylobacterium adhered thereon. In certain embodiments, a solid substance used in the seed coating or treatment will be associated with Methylobacterium and will be a fermentation broth, fermentation broth product, or composition obtained by the methods provided herein. Various seed treatment compositions and methods for seed treatment disclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,106,648, 5,512,069, and 8,181,388 are incorporated herein by reference in their entireties and can be adapted for use with an active agent comprising the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, or compositions provided herein. In certain embodiments, the composition used to treat the seed can contain agriculturally acceptable excipients that include, but are not limited to, woodflours, clays, activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, fine-grain inorganic solids, calcium carbonate and the like. Clays and inorganic solids that can be used with the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, or compositions provided herein include, but are not limited to, calcium bentonite, kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartz powder, montmorillonite and mixtures thereof. Agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that promote sticking to the seed that can be used include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer, waxes, latex polymers, celluloses including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxy methylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxymethylpropylcelluloses, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, alginates, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gums, mucilage, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers, soybean-based protein polymers and copolymers, lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof. Other useful agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that can promote coating include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer and water-soluble waxes. Various surfactants, dispersants, anticaking-agents, foam-control agents, and dyes disclosed herein and in U.S. Pat. No. 8,181,388 can be adapted for use with an active agent comprising the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, or compositions provided herein.

Use of the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions provided herein to promote nodal root formation in cereal plants is also provided herein. Early development of a vigorous nodal root system is important in establishing stands of cereal plant crops that include, but are not limited to, corn, barley, millet, oat, rice, rye, sorghum, triticale, and wheat. The first roots that emerge from a cereal plant seed (the radicle and seminal roots) function mainly in the uptake of water from the soil. The radicle seminal roots do not provide other nourishment, which early in the growth of the seedling is provided by energy and nutrient reserves in the kernel. When nodal roots emerge from the cereal plant stem, growth of the seminal roots slows dramatically and they contribute little to the season-long maintenance of the cereal plant. Instead, the nodal root system plays this role. Thus, the early and vigorous establishment of a nodal root system plays a key role in the development of a uniform stand of a cereal plant crop. Failure to do so results in stunted plants and other deficiencies that end in lower yields at harvest.

Provided herein are fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions that increase nodal root growth in cereal plants relative to untreated cereal plants that have not been exposed to the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions. In certain embodiments, cereal plant parts, including, but not limited to, a seed, a leaf, or a coleoptile can be treated with the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions to increase cereal plant nodal root growth. Treatments or applications can include, but are not limited to, spraying, coating, partially coating, immersing, and/or imbibing the cereal plant or cereal plant parts with the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions provided herein. In certain embodiments, seeds can be immersed and/or imbibed with a fermentation broth, with a fermentation broth product that has been partially or completely resuspended in a liquid, or with a liquid, semi-liquid, or slurry of a composition provided herein. Such seed immersion or imbibition can be sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant in comparison to nodal root growth in a mock or untreated cereal plant. Such increases in nodal root growth include increases in the numbers, length, dry weight, and/or wet weight of the nodal roots in treated cereal plants relative to untreated cereal plants. In certain embodiments, cereal plant seeds can be immersed and/or imbibed for at least 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, or 6 hours. Such immersion and/or imbibition can, in certain embodiments, be conducted at temperatures that are not deleterious to the cereal plant seed or the Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the seeds can be treated at about 15 to about 30 degrees Centigrade or at about 20 to about 25 degrees Centigrade. In certain embodiments, seed imbibition and/or immersion can be performed with gentle agitation.

Amounts of the fermentation broths, fermentation broth products, and compositions sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant can thus be determined by measuring any or all of an increase in the number, length, dry weight, and/or wet weight of the nodal roots in treated cereal plants relative to untreated cereal plants. In certain embodiments, an amount of a fermentation broth provided herein that is sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant can be a fermentation broth with Methylobacterium at a titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 1×10⁹ colony-forming units per milliliter, at least about 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter, or at least about 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, an amount of a fermentation broth provided herein that is sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant can be a fermentation broth with Methylobacterium at a titer of about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per milliliter to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter. In certain embodiments, an amount of a fermentation broth product provided herein that is sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant can be a fermentation broth product with a Methylobacterium titer of the solid phase of that product is at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the solid phase. In certain embodiments, an amount of a composition provided herein that is sufficient to provide for an increase in nodal root growth in a cereal plant can be a composition with a Methylobacterium titer of at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram to at least about 6×10¹⁰ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of particles in the composition containing the particles that comprise a solid substance wherein a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium is adhered thereto.

Lyophilized and shelf stable compositions comprising solid substances with viable Methylobacterium adhered thereto and methods of preparing such compositions are also provided herein. In general, the methods comprise combining a fermentation product comprising a solid substance having a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium adhered thereto with at least one cryoprotection agent to obtain a biphasic mixture that comprises the cryoprotection agent and a solid phase comprising the fermentation product; and (b) lyophilizing the biphasic mixture, thereby obtaining the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments the liquid phase of the biphasic mixture is an aqueous liquid. In certain embodiments, the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance can be any of: (a) an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient; (b) an inanimate solid substance; (c) solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof; or (d) a polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, a galactan polysaccharide, and combinations thereof. Lyophilization can be carried out until the dried preparation is substantially free of water, essentially free of water, or essentially dry. Dried preparations that are substantially free of water have about 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% to 0.2% residual moisture content. Dried preparations that are essentially free of water have less than 0.2% residual moisture content to about 0.001% residual moisture content. Dried preparations that are essentially dry have less than 0.001% residual moisture content. Residual moisture content is the percent of the total weight of a given material that is water. Residual moisture content can be calculated by a variety of methods. In certain embodiments, residual moisture content is calculated by a gravimetric method by determining the wet weight and the dry weight at the end of the freeze-drying procedure. Gravimetric procedures for determining residual moisture contents can in certain embodiments be performed as described by Nei et al. (Cryobiology 5:276-279, 1966). In certain embodiments of such methods, the residual moisture content=[(A−B)/B]×100; where A is the weight of the sample immediately after freeze drying and B is the weight of the dry matter, obtained by drying for 3 h at 60° C. in a vacuum of 10⁻⁵ mmHg (1 mm Hg=133.3 Pa) (de Valdez et al. Appl. Environ. Microb. 49(2):413-415, 1985).

In practicing methods for preparing lyophilized and shelf stable compositions comprising solid substances with viable Methylobacterium provided herein, the components of the biphasic mixture can be combined in any order and in any form. In certain embodiments, at least one fermentation product is provided as a biphasic mixture comprising the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto or as just the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto and is combined with an aqueous solution containing the dissolved cryoprotection agent. In certain embodiments, at least one fermentation product in a biphasic mixture comprising the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto and a liquid is combined with at least one cryoprotection agent in solid form, which is then dissolved in the liquid phase of the biphasic mixture. In certain embodiments, the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto is harvested from at least one fermentation broth and resuspended in an aqueous solution or an aqueous solution containing at least one dissolved cryoprotection agent, separated from the liquid phase, and resuspended in an second aqueous solution containing at least one dissolved cryo protection agent. In certain embodiments, the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto in a fermentation broth is combined with at least one cryoprotection agent in an aqueous solution to provide a biphasic mixture for lyophilization or for subsequent resuspension of the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto in another aqueous solution containing at least one cryoprotection agent. In certain embodiments, the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto in a fermentation broth is combined with at least one cryoprotection agent in solid form, which is then dissolved in the liquid phase of the fermentation broth to provide a biphasic mixture for lyophilization or for subsequent resuspension of the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto in another aqueous solution containing at least one cryoprotection agent.

Cryoprotection agents can comprise one or more compounds such as a disaccharide, polysucrose, a polyol, dextran, or a sucrose-like polymers. In certain embodiments, the polyol is polyethylene glycol (PEG) or adonitol. In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is a disaccharide, polysucrose, hydroxyethylcellulose, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysucrose has a molecular weight of about 60 to about 80 kilodaltons (kD) or about 300 to about 500 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the polysucrose has an average molecular weight of about 70 kD or an average molecular weight of about 400 kD. In certain embodiments, the hydroxyethylcellulose has a molecular weight of about 600 kilodaltons (kD) to about 700 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the disaccharide is sucrose, lactose, trehalose, or any combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is sucrose. Sucrose can be provided in the biphasic mixture at a concentration of about 5%, 7%, 8%, or 9% (w/v) to any of about 22%, 24%, or 25% (w/v). In certain embodiments, sucrose can also be provided in the biphasic mixture at a concentration of about 5%, 7%, 8%, or 9% (w/v) to any of about 12%, 14%, or 20% (w/v). In certain embodiments, a fermentation product used in the methods has a Methylobacterium titer of about 5×10⁸, 1×10⁹, 5×10⁹ or 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of the solid substance to any of about 1×10¹¹, 5×10¹¹, 1×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the solid substance.

A variety of other additives can be added to the biphasic mixture prior to lyophilization and/or to the resultant dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium. In certain embodiments, the method can comprise the addition of a protein of plant, animal or microbial origin to the biphasic mixture and/or resultant dried preparation. Useful proteins that can be added to the biphasic mixture and/or resultant dried preparation include, but are not limited to, casein, soy protein, whey protein, wheat protein, corn protein, plant glutens, yeast protein, and the like. In certain embodiments, the protein can function as an anti-caking agent. In certain embodiments, anti-caking agents including, but not limited to, various desiccants, can be added to the biphasic mixture and/or resultant dried preparation. In certain embodiments, agriculturally acceptable excipients that include, but are not limited to, woodflours, clays, activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, fine-grain inorganic solids, calcium carbonate and the like can be added to the biphasic mixture and/or resultant dried preparation. Clays and inorganic solids that can be added to the biphasic mixture and/or resultant dried preparations include, but are not limited to, calcium bentonite, kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartz powder, montmorillonite and mixtures thereof. Agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that promote sticking to the seed that can be added to the biphasic mixture and/or resultant dried preparations include, but are not limited to, polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer, waxes, latex polymers, celluloses including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxy methylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxymethylpropylcelluloses, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, alginates, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gums, mucilage, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers, soybean-based protein polymers and copolymers, lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof. Other useful agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that can promote coating that can be added to the biphasic mixture and/or resultant dried preparations include, but are not limited to, polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer and water-soluble waxes.

In any of the aforementioned methods for preparing lyophilized and shelf stable compositions comprising solid substances with viable Methylobacterium, the methods can further comprise converting the dried preparation to a powder. Methods of converting a dried preparation to a powder include, but are not limited to, grinding, shaking, sieving, and any combination thereof.

In certain embodiments, the dried preparations produced by any of the aforementioned methods can comprise preparations wherein at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 90%, 95%, or 98% of Methylobacterium cells in the composition or that were originally present in the biphasic mixture are viable. The percentage of viable Methylobacterium cells can be determined by a variety of methods including, but not limited to, reconstituting the preparation and staining the cells with one or more agents that identify viable and inviable cells. Examples of such staining techniques include, but are not limited to, (i) use of a membrane-permeant SYTO 9™ dye that labels live bacteria with green fluorescence and a membrane-impermeant propidium iodide that labels membrane-compromised bacteria with red fluorescence; (ii) use of membrane-permeant DAPI™ that labels live bacteria with blue fluorescence and a membrane-impermeant SYTOX™ Green nucleic acid stain that labels bacteria with compromised membranes with green fluorescence. Reagents and kits for selective staining of viable and inviable bacterial cells that can be used are commercially available from the Molecular Probes™ division of Life Technologies, Inc. (Carlsbad, Calif.). Alternatively, the total count of viable and inviable cells can be obtained, for example, by counting all cells under a microscope, and then obtaining a viable cell count by plating the cells on media.

Compositions comprising the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium made by any of the aforementioned methods are also provided herein.

Dried preparations of viable Methylobacterium provided herein can also be applied to a plant or plant part. The plant or plant part can be either partially or completely coated with the composition. In certain embodiments, the coated or partially coated plant part is selected from the group consisting of a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, and a leaf. Coated and partially coated plant seeds are provided. In certain embodiments, the seed can be any of a corn, soybean, rice, wheat, cotton, or vegetable crop seed. In certain embodiments, the seed is a lettuce seed and is at least partially coated with about 7×10⁵ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 4×10⁵ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed.

Compositions that comprise a solid substance having a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium adhered thereto, and a cryoprotection agent, wherein the composition is substantially free of water and wherein at least about 50%, 60%, 70%, 80%, 85%, 90%, 95%, or 98% of Methylobacterium cells in the composition are viable are also provided herein. In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is selected from the group consisting of a disaccharide, polysucrose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and combinations thereof. In certain embodiments, the solid substance has a Methylobacterium titer of 5×10⁸, 1×10⁹, or 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of the solid substance to about 1×10¹¹, 5×10¹¹, 1×10¹², 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the solid substance. In certain embodiments, the dried preparation has a Methylobacterium titer of 5×10⁸, 1×10⁹, or 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of the dried preparation to about 5×10¹², 1×10¹³, or 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the dried preparation. In certain embodiments, the solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the composition comprising a solid substance with Methylobacterium adhered thereto further comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient. In certain embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is a disaccharide. Useful disaccharide cryoprotection agents used in the compositions include, but are not limited to, sucrose and trehalose. In certain embodiments, the compositions provided herein comprise sucrose at about 63% or 64% to about 66% or 67% by weight (w/w). In certain embodiments, the compositions provided herein comprise sucrose at about 63% to about 67% by weight (w/w). In other embodiments, the cryoprotection agent is a sucrose-like polymer. Useful sucrose like polymers include polysucrose, hydroxyethylcellulose, or any combination thereof. In certain embodiments, the polysucrose has a molecular weight of about 60 to about 80 kilodaltons (kD) or about 300 to about 500 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the polysucrose has an average molecular weight of about 70 kD or an average molecular weight of about 400 kD. In certain embodiments, the hydroxyethylcellulose has a molecular weight of about 600 kilodaltons (kD) to about 700 kilodaltons (kD). In certain embodiments, the cryoprotectants can include a polyol or dextran. In certain embodiments, the polyol is polyethylene glycol (PEG) or adonitol. Combinations of the aforementioned cryoprotection agents can also be used in the compositions. Compositions provided herein can be substantially free of water, essentially free of water, or essentially dry. Compositions that are substantially free of water have about 5%, 4%, 3%, 2%, or 1% to 0.2% residual moisture content. Compositions that are essentially free of water have less than 0.2% to about 0.001% residual moisture content. Compositions that are essentially dry have less than 0.001% residual moisture content.

Also provided herein are plants and plant parts that are at least partially coated with any of the aforementioned compositions. In certain embodiments, isolated plant parts that are at least partially coated with any of the aforementioned compositions are provided. In certain embodiments, the plant part is selected from the group consisting of a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, and a leaf. Treated plants and treated plant parts, include, but are not limited to, corn, Brassica sp. (e.g., B. napus, B. rapa, B. juncea), alfalfa, rice, rye, sorghum, millet (e.g., pearl millet (Pennisetum glaucum), proso millet (Panicum miliaceum), foxtail millet (Setaria italica), finger millet (Eleusine coracana)), sunflower, safflower, soybean, tobacco, potato, peanuts, cotton, sweet potato (Ipomoea batatus), cassava, coffee, coconut, pineapple, citrus trees, cocoa, tea, banana, avocado, fig, guava, mango, olive, papaya, cashew, macadamia, almond, sugar beets, sugarcane, oats, barley, tomatoes lettuce, green beans, lima beans, peas, cucurbits such as cucumber, cantaloupe, and musk melon, ornamental, turf grass, and conifer plants and plant parts. In certain embodiments, the at least partially coated plant part is a seed. In certain embodiments, the seed is selected from the group consisting of a corn, soy, wheat, cotton, tomato, and lettuce seed. In certain embodiments, the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 7×10⁵ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 4×10⁵ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed.

Examples

The following examples are included to demonstrate preferred embodiments of the invention. It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that the techniques disclosed in the following examples represent techniques discovered by the Applicants to function well in the practice of the invention, and thus can be considered to constitute preferred modes for its practice. However, those of skill in the art should, in light of the instant disclosure, appreciate that many changes can be made in the specific embodiments that are disclosed, while still obtaining like or similar results, without departing from the scope of the invention.

Example 1 Growth of PPFM Bacteria on Solid Agar Plate Media

For the growth of PPFM bacteria on solid agar plate media, a variety of standard media were tested.

One medium used was ammonium mineral salts (AMS) medium (Whittenbury et al., 1970). AMS medium contains, per liter, 700 milligrams of dibasic potassium phosphate anhydrous, 540 milligrams of monobasic potassium phosphate anhydrous, one gram of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 500 milligrams of ammonium chloride anhydrous, 200 milligrams of calcium chloride dehydrate, 4 milligrams of ferric sulfate heptahydrate, 100 micrograms of zinc sulfate heptahydrate, 30 micrograms of manganese chloride tetrahydrate, 300 micrograms of boric acid anhydrous, 200 micrograms of cobalt chloride hexahydrate, 10 micrograms of copper chloride dehydrate, 20 micrograms of nickel chloride hexahydrate, and 60 micrograms of sodium molybdate dehydrate.

AMS medium was prepared from four stock solutions, listed below

Stock solution I: for one liter at 50× concentration dibasic potassium phosphate, anhydrous 35 grams monobasic potassium phosphate, anhydrous 27 grams

Stock solution II: for one liter at 50× concentration magnesium sulfate heptahydrate 50 grams ammonium chloride, anhydrous 25 grams

Stock solution III: for one liter at 50× concentration calcium chloride dihydrate 10 grams

Trace metals stock solution: for one liter at 1000× concentration ferric sulfate heptahydrate 4 grams zinc sulfate heptahydrate 100 milligrams manganese chloride tetrahydrate 30 milligrams boric acid, anhydrous 300 milligrams cobalt chloride hexahydrate 200 milligrams copper chloride dihydrate 10 milligrams nickel chloride hexahydrate 20 milligrams sodium molybdate dihydrate 60 milligrams

Stock solutions I, II, and III were autoclaved separately. The trace metals stock solution could not be autoclaved, as most of the salts precipitated out during the autoclaving step, and so it was filter-sterilized through a 0.2 micrometer filter apparatus. These steps were necessary to insure the preparation of a water-clear AMS culture medium with all ingredients in solution. As originally described by Whittenbury et al. (1970), the phosphate-containing components of the AMS medium were segregated from the other components until the final finishing steps of the medium preparation, preventing the formation of insoluble magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate crystals.

To prepare one liter of solid agar plate media with an AMS base, 15 grams of agar were added to 940 ml of distilled water, and this mixture was autoclaved. After autoclaving, 20 ml each of stock solutions I, II, and III were added, along with one ml of the filter-sterilized trace metals stock solution.

If other medium components, such as a carbon source, were to be incorporated, for the most part these were added to the water and agar mixture before autoclaving. The one exception to this was methanol, which was filter-sterilized through a 0.2 micrometer filter apparatus and added after the base medium had been autoclaved.

A second medium used was Vogel-Bonner (VB) minimal culture medium (Vogel and Bonner, 1956). VB medium contains, per liter, 298 milligrams of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 14.93 grams of anhydrous dibasic potassium phosphate, 5.22 grams of sodium ammonium phosphate tetrahydrate, and 2.73 grams of anhydrous citric acid (the free acid form).

Vogel-Bonner minimal medium was prepared from a 25× stock solution of the salts and citric acid. This 25× stock solution was prepared by dissolving in one liter of distilled water the following amounts of each ingredient, in the order listed, and making sure each one was completely dissolved before adding the next one: 7.46 grams of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate, 68.23 grams of anhydrous citric acid, 373.13 grams of anhydrous dibasic potassium phosphate, and 130.60 grams of sodium ammonium phosphate tetrahydrate. By first dissolving the magnesium sulfate and then adding the citric acid, the magnesium ions were chelated by the citrate ions, preventing the formation of insoluble magnesium phosphate crystals when the phosphate salts are added. This insured the preparation of a water-clear culture medium with all ingredients in solution.

To prepare one liter of solid agar plate media with a VB base, 15 grams of agar were added to 960 ml of distilled water and this mixture was autoclaved. After autoclaving, 40 ml of the 25× VB salts stock solution were added.

If other medium components, such as a carbon source, were to be incorporated, for the most part these were added to the water and agar mixture before autoclaving. The one exception to this was methanol, which was filter-sterilized through a 0.2 micrometer filter apparatus and added after the base medium had been autoclaved.

A third medium used was LB broth. LB broth contains, per liter, 10 grams of tryptone, 5 grams of yeast extract, and 10 grams of sodium chloride. All components were dissolved in one liter of distilled water and autoclaved. This medium was water-clear, with all ingredients in solution.

To prepare one liter of solid agar plate media with an LB base, 15 grams of agar were added to one liter of LB broth, and this mixture was autoclaved.

Corpe and Basile (1982) conducted a systematic survey of the growth of various strains of PPFM bacteria in AMS media containing various carbon sources. Many of the tested substances supported little to no growth of PPFM bacteria. Corpe and Basile reported that glycerol and glutamate were relatively good carbon sources for PPFM bacteria, and that methanol, glucose, aspartate, succinate and malate were intermediate as carbon sources for PPFM bacteria.

The Applicants measured the growth of Methylobacterium extorquens on LB plates, as well as on AMS and VB plates supplemented with various carbon sources. The carbon sources, listed below, were all added to the AMS or VB base salts media at 10 grams per liter. In addition, some media compositions were tested that included peptone at 10 grams per liter. The Methylobacterium extorquens was streaked out on the various agar plates, and they were incubated at 30 degrees C. for up to two weeks. Growth was measured as the number of days of incubation required for the colonies to become full-sized (about 2 millimeters in diameter); for those growth conditions where full-sized colonies did not form even after prolonged incubation, the colonies were scored as medium-sized (about 1 millimeters in diameter) or small-sized (about 0.5 millimeters in diameter or smaller). All of the colonies observed were of a deep, saturated pink color, as is characteristic of PPFM bacteria.

The results were as follows:

VB plus aspartate small-sized in 9 days VB plus succinate small-sized in 10 days VB plus malate small-sized in 10 days LB full-sized in 9 days AMS plus glucose full-sized in 9 days VB plus glucose full-sized in 14 days AMS plus methanol full-sized in 6 days VB plus methanol medium-sized in 10 days AMS plus glutamate and peptone full-sized in 5 days AMS plus glycerol and peptone full-sized in 5 days VB plus glycerol and peptone full-sized in 6 days

The fastest and most abundant growth of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens on the tested solid agar plate media was on AMS plus glycerol and peptone or AMS plus glutamate and peptone, followed closely by AMS plus methanol or VB plus glycerol and peptone. Growth on the other tested media was significantly slower.

Example 2 Growth of PPFM Bacteria in Clear, Monophasic Liquid Media

For those four solid agar plate media found in Example 1 to have supported the fastest and most abundant growth of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens, the corresponding liquid versions (that is, no added agar) were prepared and tested. These four liquid media, prepared as described in Example 1 (with the sole exception being that they did not contain any agar) were all water-clear liquids, with all ingredients in solution.

To flasks containing 100 milliliters of these four liquid media, an inoculum of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens was added to give an initial titer of about 1×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter. The flasks were placed on a rotary shaker incubator set and grown for 5 days at 30 degrees C., and 250 rpm. At the end of the 5 days of incubation, the titers of PPFM bacteria in the flasks were determined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 5 days AMS plus glycerol and peptone 1.4 × 10⁵ 4.5 × 10⁵ AMS plus glutamate and peptone 2.0 × 10⁵ 3.8 × 10⁵ AMS plus methanol 1.1 × 10⁵ 2.1 × 10⁵ VB plus glycerol and peptone 1.7 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁵

A striking aspect of these results is the very poor growth of the PPFM bacteria in all of these water-clear liquid media, in the presence of the exact same nutrients as were present in the solid agar plate forms of these media on which the PPFM bacteria grew rapidly and abundantly (as described in Example 1). Indeed, in all of these flasks, there was little or no visible turbidity (the classical indication of microbial growth) and no hint of a pink hue whatsoever.

Example 3 Growth of PPFM Bacteria in a Biphasic Culture Media Containing Insoluble Salt Crystals

For the preparation of the biphasic culture media, liquid AMS plus glycerol and peptone medium was made turbid (i.e. provided with a solid substance) by deliberately forming insoluble crystals of magnesium phosphate and/or calcium phosphate. To deliberately form insoluble crystals in the media, the preparation method described in Example 1 was altered as follows. All components except the trace metals stock solution were mixed together before autoclaving. That is, to 940 ml of distilled water were added 20 ml each of stock solutions I, II, and III, along with 10 grams of glycerol and 10 grams of peptone. After autoclaving, the medium was completed by the addition of one ml of filter-sterilized trace metals stock solution. The autoclaving of the components of stock solutions I, II, and III, mixed together before autoclaving, resulted in the formation of insoluble salt crystals, presumably primarily magnesium phosphate dibasic and/or calcium phosphate dibasic. After autoclaving, the AMS plus glycerol and peptone medium made by this preparation method yielded a liquid medium that was very turbid with these salt crystals. This new liquid medium was designated “turbid AMS plus glycerol and peptone”.

To a flask containing 100 milliliters of the turbid AMS plus glycerol and peptone, an inoculum of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens was added to give an initial titer of about 1×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter. The flask was placed on a rotary shaker incubator set and grown for 3 days at 30 degrees C., and 250 rpm. After just two days, the flask had developed a deep, saturated pink turbidity, indicating fast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria. At both 2 days and 3 days after inoculation, the titers of PPFM bacteria in the flask were determined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 2 days after 3 days turbid AMS plus 1.7 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁸ 1.7 × 10⁹ glycerol and peptone

Two striking aspects of this result were the very fast growth of the PPFM bacteria, and their growth to titers approaching 10,000-fold higher than achieved in clear AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium (as shown in Example 2).

Example 4 Growth of PPFM Bacteria in Liquid Media Containing Agar

For the preparation of solid agar plate media, agar is typically added at about 15 grams per liter of medium. To test whether lower amounts of agar, at levels too low to gel or solidify the medium, would be effective at promoting the fast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria, small amounts of agar were added to AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium.

This liquid medium was prepared as described in Example 1, that is, by the preparation method designed to prevent the formation of insoluble salt crystals of magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate. The agar, as described in Example 1, was added to the water before autoclaving. The amounts of agar tested were, per liter, 750 milligrams, 1.5 grams, and 3 grams. These new liquid media were designated “AMS plus glycerol and peptone and agar”.

To flasks containing 100 milliliters of the AMS plus glycerol and peptone and agar, an inoculum of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens was added to give an initial titer of about 1×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter. The flasks were placed on a rotary shaker incubator set and grown for 3 days at 30 degrees C., and 250 rpm. After just two days, the flasks had all developed a deep, saturated pink turbidity, indicating fast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria. At both 2 days and 3 days after inoculation, the titers of PPFM bacteria in the flasks were determined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 2 days after 3 days AMS plus glycerol and 1.3 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁷ 8.0 × 10⁷ peptone and 750 mg agar AMS plus glycerol and 1.3 × 10⁵ 3.1 × 10⁷ 2.0 × 10⁸ peptone and 1.5 grams agar AMS plus glycerol and 1.2 × 10⁵ 1.8 × 10⁸ 5.1 × 10⁸ peptone and 3 grams agar

Two striking aspects of this result are the very fast growth of the PPFM bacteria, and their growth to titers approaching 1000-fold higher than achieved in clear AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium (as shown in Example 2). The data acquired after 3 days of growth also indicate that increased amounts of growth are correlated to increased amounts of agar.

Example 5 Growth of PPFM Bacteria in Liquid Media Containing Diatomaceous Earth

To test whether diatomaceous earth would be effective at promoting the fast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria, small amounts of diatomaceous earth were added to AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium. This liquid medium was prepared as described in Example 1, that is, by the preparation method designed to prevent the formation of insoluble salt crystals of magnesium phosphate and calcium phosphate. The diatomaceous earth was added to the water before autoclaving. The amounts of diatomaceous tested were, per liter, 500 milligrams, 1 gram, 1.5 grams, and 2 grams. These new liquid media were designated “AMS plus glycerol and peptone and diatomaceous earth”.

To flasks containing 100 milliliters of the AMS plus glycerol and peptone and diatomaceous earth, an inoculum of the PPFM bacterium Methylobacterium extorquens was added to give an initial titer of about 1×10⁵ colony-forming units (CFU) per milliliter. The flasks were placed on a rotary shaker incubator set and grown for 3 days at 30 degrees C., and 250 rpm. After just two days, the flasks had all developed a deep, saturated pink turbidity, indicating fast and abundant growth of PPFM bacteria. At both 2 days and 3 days after inoculation, the titers of PPFM bacteria in the flasks were determined. The results were:

initial titer titer of PPFM titer of PPFM liquid medium of PPFM after 2 days after 3 days AMS plus glycerol and 1.0 × 10⁵ 1.8 × 10⁸ 1.1 × 10⁹ peptone and 500 mg diatomaceous earth AMS plus glycerol and 1.8 × 10⁵ 3.0 × 10⁸ 8.4 × 10⁸ peptone and 1 gram diatomaceous earth AMS plus glycerol and 1.4 × 10⁵ 4.0 × 10⁸ 1.7 × 10⁹ peptone and 1.5 grams diatomaceous earth AMS plus glycerol and 1.7 × 10⁵ 3.4 × 10⁸ 2.0 × 10⁹ peptone and 2 grams diatomaceous earth

Two striking aspects of this result are the very fast growth of the PPFM bacteria, and their growth to titers approaching 10,000-fold higher than achieved in clear AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium (as shown in Example 2). The data acquired after 2 days of growth also indicate that increased amounts of growth are correlated to increased amounts of agar within the range of 0.5 grams to 1.5 grams per 100 ml of culture.

Example 6 Growth of PPFM Bacteria in a Controlled Bioreactor

The growth of bacteria in flasks, incubated on a rotary shaker, is limited by changes in pH brought about by the metabolism of the carbon source(s) in the growth medium. Controlled bioreactors (also known as “fermenters” or “fermentation vessels”) avoid this limitation by maintaining the pH at the desired level through the controlled addition of acids or bases, as appropriate. Another factor which can limit the growth of bacteria is the availability of dissolved oxygen. Controlled bioreactors avoid this limitation by maintaining adequate levels of dissolved oxygen through the controlled adjustment of airflow into the reactor vessel, the agitation rate of the vessel, and the air pressure within the vessel.

When grown in a controlled bioreactor containing the AMS plus glycerol and peptone liquid medium described in Example 1, further supplemented with solid substances such as insoluble salts, agar, or diatomaceous earth as described in Examples 3, 4 and 5, the final titer of PPFM bacteria achieved will be at least 30-fold higher than that achieved in flasks, specifically at least 3×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per milliliter.

Example 7 Growth of Various Methylobacterium in the Presence and Absence of Various Solids in the Media

Various Methylobacterium listed in the following Table were obtained from the indicated depository organizations, purified as single colony isolates, and cultured in the presence and absence of solids in AMS plus glycerol plus peptone media. The solids were sterilized by autoclaving in the media.

TABLE 3 Depository Accession No. Methylobacterium species DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens DSM-1819 Methylobacterium radiotolerans DSM-13060 Methylobacterium extorquens DSM-18172 Methylobacterium organophilum DSM-1708 Methylobacterium mesophilicum DSM-18207 Methylobacterium oryzae DSM-19779 Methylobacterium phyllosphaerae ATCC-14718 Methylobacterium extorquens ATCC-14821 Methylobacterium rhodinum ATCC-21611 Methylobacterium rhodesianum ATCC-35065 Methylobacterium fujisawaense ATCC-43883 Methylobacterium zatmanii ATCC-51358 Methylobacterium aminovorans ATCC-700647 Methylobacterium thiocyanatum ATCC: American Type Tissue Culture Collection, Manassas, VA, USA DSM: DSMZ-German Collection of Microorganisms and Cell Cultures (“DSMZ”), Braunschweig, Germany

All of the Methylobacterium in the preceding Table 3 grew very poorly or not at all in water-clear AMS plus glycerol plus peptone medium, and all grew very well in the same medium amended (at 2 grams per liter) with one following solids: diatomaceous earth, agar, turbid medium (made so as to be cloudy with insoluble crystals of magnesium phosphate as described in Example 3), bone meal, flax seed meal, “Rare Earth” (a mixture of pyrophyllitic silicate clay and leonardite from General Hydroponics of Sebastopol, Calif., USA), “White Hermit Crab Sand” (a mixture of calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate from Zoo-Med Laboratories, Inc., of San Luis Obispo, Calif., USA), dried and powdered coconut meat, and crushed egg shell.

Example 8 Photomicroscopy of Methylobacterium Grown in the Presence of a Solid in the Media

Methylobacterium were purified as single colony isolates and cultured in the presence of diatom shells in liquid growth media. The diatom shells were sterilized by autoclaving in the liquid media prior to inoculation of the thus sterilized media with Methylobacterium.

The results of the photomicrographic analysis of the cultures are shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In FIG. 1, some portions of the latticed diatom shell are exposed while other portions of the diatom shell are obscured by the adherent Methylobacterium cells. FIG. 1 also shows that there are very few Methylobacterium cells in this culture that are not adherent. FIG. 2 shows a diatom shell that is almost completely coated with adherent Methylobacterium cells and a few apparently non-adherent Methylobacterium cells in the liquid media.

Example 9 Plant Seed or Foliar Treatment Compositions Comprising Solid Substances with Adherent Methylobacterium

To obtain compositions suitable for plant seed or foliar treatments, Methylobacterium are cultured in liquid media containing a solid substance by any of the methods disclosed or claimed herein, or as described in any of the preceding Examples 3-6. Typically, the Methylobacterium are cultured to a high titer (i.e. at least about 5×10⁸ colony-forming units per gram of solid). Adherent Methylobacterium associated with the solid are then harvested either with or without any non-adherent Methylobacterium present in the culture. Harvesting can be achieved by filtration, centrifugation, decanting, and combinations thereof. Harvested material can be applied directly to seeds or plants in certain instances. In other instances, the harvested material is dried by lyophilization or spray drying and the like prior to application. Dried material can also be reconstituted with liquids as necessary or desired prior to application to plants or seed. In certain cases, the solid materials with the adherent Methylobacterium can be disassociated as described herein and either applied directly to the seeds or plants or first dried and then applied to seeds or plants. Solid materials with the adherent Methylobacterium can also be first dried, then disassociated as described herein and applied directly to the seeds of plants or used as active ingredients in other compositions for plant or seed treatment. It is also possible to add additional agriculturally acceptable excipients and/or adjuvants to any of the harvested and/or dissociated solid materials with adherent Methylobacterium. Added excipients can include woodflours, clays, activated carbon, diatomaceous earth, fine-grain inorganic solids, calcium carbonate and the like. Clays and inorganic solids that can be added as excipients in the compositions include calcium bentonite, kaolin, china clay, talc, perlite, mica, vermiculite, silicas, quartz powder, montmorillonite and mixtures thereof. Agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that promote sticking to the seed or other plant parts that can be added to the compositions include polyvinyl acetates, polyvinyl acetate copolymers, hydrolyzed polyvinyl acetates, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer, polyvinyl alcohols, polyvinyl alcohol copolymers, polyvinyl methyl ether, polyvinyl methyl ether-maleic anhydride copolymer, waxes, latex polymers, celluloses including ethylcelluloses and methylcelluloses, hydroxy methylcelluloses, hydroxypropylcellulose, hydroxymethylpropylcelluloses, polyvinyl pyrrolidones, alginates, dextrins, malto-dextrins, polysaccharides, fats, oils, proteins, karaya gum, jaguar gum, tragacanth gum, polysaccharide gums, mucilage, gum arabics, shellacs, vinylidene chloride polymers and copolymers, soybean-based protein polymers and copolymers, lignosulfonates, acrylic copolymers, starches, polyvinylacrylates, zeins, gelatin, carboxymethylcellulose, chitosan, polyethylene oxide, acrylimide polymers and copolymers, polyhydroxyethyl acrylate, methylacrylimide monomers, alginate, ethylcellulose, polychloroprene and syrups or mixtures thereof. Other useful agriculturally acceptable adjuvants that can promote coating of seeds or other plant parts include polymers and copolymers of vinyl acetate, polyvinylpyrrolidone-vinyl acetate copolymer and water-soluble waxes. These compositions can be maintained in a dry or semi dry form or can be formulated into slurries by addition of liquids as desired. The compositions can then be used to spray or coat the plants or seeds to obtain beneficial effects associated with application of Methylobacterium to plants.

Example 10 Titers of Various Methylobacterium in the Presence and Absence of Various Solids in the Media

Fourteen strains in the genus Methylobacterium were purchased from the DSMZ (Braunschweig, Germany) and the ATCC (Manassas, Va., USA). These 14 strains consist of 12 different species, as there were three M. extorquens in the set:

-   1. DSM-6343 Methylobacterium extorquens -   2. DSM-1819 Methylobacterium radiololerans -   3. DSM-13060 Methylobacterium extorquens -   4. DSM-18172 Methylobacterium organophilum -   5. DSM-1708 Methylobacterium mesophilicum -   6. DSM-18207 Methylobacterium oryzae -   7. DSM-19779 Methylobacterium phyllosphaerae -   8. ATCC-14718 Methylobacterium extorquens -   9. ATCC-14821 Methylobacterium rhodinum -   10. ATCC-21611 Methylobacterium rhodesianum -   11. ATCC-35065 Methylobacterium fujisawaense -   12. ATCC-43883 Methylobacterium zalmanii -   13. ATCC-51358 Methylobacterium aminovorans -   14. ATCC-700647 Methylobacterium thiocyanatum

For the tests below, the inocula came from cultures grown in water-clear AMS-GP medium. These cultures were grown in 200 ml of the water-clear AMS-GP medium, titered, and then concentrated ten-fold. These PPFM cultures, with no solid substrates present, were used to inoculate test tubes containing 10 ml of water-clear AMS-GP medium, or AMS-GP medium with various added solid substrates. 20 mg of the various solid substrates were added to each 10 ml tube, yielding a solid substrate concentration equivalent to 2 grams per liter. Titers are expressed throughout as Colony Forming Units per milliliter (CFU/mL). The target initial titer in each tube was about 1×10⁵ PPFM colony forming units per ml. The inoculated test tubes were placed on a rotary shaker set and grown for three days at 30 degrees C., and 250 rpm. After three days of growth, the PPFM cultures were titered.

Growth of PPFM strains in water-clear AMS-GP liquid medium initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.5 × 10⁵ 1.2 × 10⁶ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.8 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁶ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 3.1 × 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁵ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 1.4 × 10⁵ 1.8 × 10⁵ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 3.3 × 10⁵ 1.0 × 10⁵ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.1 × 10⁵ 2.2 × 10⁶ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 2.1 × 10⁵ 1.1 × 10⁶ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.0 × 10⁵ 1.7 × 10⁵ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 4.4 × 10⁵ 2.9 × 10⁵ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 1.8 × 10⁵ 1.4 × 10⁵ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 1.3 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁶ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 5.0 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁵ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 9.5 × 10⁴ 1.7 × 10⁵ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 1.8 × 10⁵ 7.6 × 10⁴

Growth of PPFM strains in turbid AMS-GP liquid medium initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 2.5 × 10⁵ 2.1 × 10⁹ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 7.6 × 10⁴ 6.8 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 1.9 × 10⁵ 4.4 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 1.1 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁹ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.4 × 10⁵ 9.3 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 7.3 × 10⁴ 2.4 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 1.8 × 10⁵ 7.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 9.3 × 10⁴ 2.0 × 10⁹ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 7.1 × 10⁴ 7.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 3.9 × 10⁵ 6.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 8.2 × 10⁴ 2.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 1.8 × 10⁵ 6.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 6.8 × 10⁴ 1.7 × 10⁹ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 4.3 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus diatomaceous earth (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 2.1 × 10⁵ 8.7 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.1 × 10⁵ 3.3 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 6.8 × 10⁴ 8.4 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 3.1 × 10⁵ 8.1 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.4 × 10⁵ 2.4 × 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.1 × 10⁵ 3.1 × 10⁹ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 9.6 × 10⁴ 3.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 1.8 × 10⁵ 4.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 8.0 × 10⁴ 5.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 3.5 × 10⁵ 7.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 1.5 × 10⁵ 9.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 6.5 × 10⁴ 9.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 3.0 × 10⁵ 2.7 × 10⁹ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 1.4 × 10⁵ 2.3 × 10⁹

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus agar (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 1.5 × 10⁵ 1.6 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.3 × 10⁵ 3.7 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 9.2 × 10⁴ 1.7 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 8.1 × 10⁴ 9.3 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 5.2 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DS M-18207 M. oryzae 1.9 × 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 1.0 × 10⁵ 5.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.4 × 10⁵ 4.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 1.5 × 10⁵ 5.1 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 8.1 × 10⁴ 4.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 1.0 × 10⁵ 4.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 1.3 × 10⁵ 5.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 4.5 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 3.6 × 10⁵ 1.7 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus powdered kelp (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.8 × 10⁵ 4.3 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 9.1 × 10⁴ 4.1 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 4.0 × 10⁵ 9.7 × 10⁷ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 2.2 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.2 × 10⁵ 1.0 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 9.4 × 10⁴ 6.4 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 7.7 × 10⁴ 3.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 3.0 × 10⁵ 4.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 8.4 × 10⁴ 1.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 9.7 × 10⁴ 4.1 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 8.2 × 10⁴ 3.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 9.7 × 10⁴ 4.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 2.6 × 10⁵ 6.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 3.5 × 10⁵ 5.2 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus coconut husk fiber (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 2.0 × 10⁵ 3.4 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.1 × 10⁵ 6.0 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.9 × 10⁴ 2.5 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 8.5 × 10⁴ 7.5 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 6.0 × 10⁴ 6.0 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.9 × 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 9.6 × 10⁴ 1.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.8 × 10⁵ 9.7 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 3.5 × 10⁵ 8.9 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 7.4 × 10⁴ 8.2 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.1 × 10⁴ 7.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 8.0 × 10⁴ 5.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 3.3 × 10⁵ 2.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 3.3 × 10⁵ 7.3 × 10⁷

The coconut husk fiber was a product called “Hermit Soil”, with the sole ingredient listed as “coconut fiber substrate” and sold by Zoo-Med Laboratories, Inc., of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus cottonseed meal (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 1.0 × 10⁵ 4.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.3 × 10⁵ 5.5 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.9 × 10⁴ 4.7 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 2.0 × 10⁵ 8.8 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 7.9 × 10⁴ 5.8 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.0 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 4.1 × 10⁵ 9.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 9.5 × 10⁴ 7.9 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 5.4 × 10⁵ 5.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 5.1 × 10⁵ 2.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 8.1 × 10⁴ 5.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 7.6 × 10⁴ 3.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 2.7 × 10⁵ 8.3 × 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 4.6 × 10⁵ 4.4 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus bone meal (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 9.6 × 10⁴ 1.4 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 4.7 × 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.5 × 10⁴ 4.7 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 5.9 × 10⁴ 3.9 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 8.2 × 10⁴ 2.6 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 3.6 × 10⁵ 4.5 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 5.4 × 10⁴ 8.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 1.5 × 10⁵ 9.1 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 9.9 × 10⁴ 7.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 1.6 × 10⁵ 8.1 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.9 × 10⁴ 2.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 5.7 × 10⁴ 6.9 × 10⁷ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 9.9 × 10⁴ 4.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 1.9 × 10⁵ 1.5 × 10⁸

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus blood meal (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 7.7 × 10⁴ 7.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 7.9 × 10⁴ 8.8 × 10⁷ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 4.4 × 10⁵ 6.7 × 10⁷ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 3.1 × 10⁵ 8.4 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.0 × 10⁵ 4.0 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 3.9 × 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁷ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 2.5 × 10⁵ 8.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 9.5 × 10⁴ 9.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 6.8 × 10⁴ 8.6 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 7.4 × 10⁴ 4.9 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 2.6 × 10⁵ 2.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 3.2 × 10⁵ 4.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 7.0 × 10⁴ 1.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 3.2 × 10⁵ 5.5 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus sand (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 1.8 × 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 1.4 × 10⁵ 1.9 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 1.1 × 10⁵ 6.0 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 2.8 × 10⁵ 4.8 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 7.8 × 10⁴ 1.6 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 5.2 × 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 2.5 × 10⁵ 9.7 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 9.7 × 10⁴ 4.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 2.7 × 10⁵ 9.2 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 9.7 × 10⁴ 6.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 5.7 × 10⁴ 9.1 × 10⁷ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 8.2 × 10⁴ 3.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 8.8 × 10⁴ 1.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 9.8 × 10⁴ 6.7 × 10⁸

The sand was a product called “White Hermit Crab Sand”, with the ingredients listed as calcium carbonate and magnesium carbonate, and sold by Zoo-Med Laboratories, Inc., of San Luis Obispo, Calif.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus a silica-micaceous clay (at 2grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 9.8 × 10⁴ 9.4 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.4 × 10⁵ 1.2 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 5.4 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 2.3 × 10⁵ 6.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 8.3 × 10⁴ 5.5 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 9.7 × 10⁴ 3.2 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 6.6 × 10⁴ 9.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 1.2 × 10⁵ 5.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodium 4.8 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesiamun 2.0 × 10⁵ 5.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.2 × 10⁴ 1.0 × 10⁹ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 3.1 × 10⁵ 9.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 4.3 × 10⁵ 3.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 7.6 × 10⁴ 8.0 × 10⁸

The micaceous clay was a product called “Profile”, with the ingredients listed as a blend of silica and illite. Illite is a micaceous clay. Profile is sold by Profile Products, LLC, of Buffalo Grove, Ill.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus a silicate-mineraloid clay (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.5 × 10⁴ 4.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.5 × 10⁵ 5.0 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 5.2 × 10⁴ 8.1 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 4.3 × 10⁵ 5.6 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.0 × 10⁵ 2.0 × 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.2 × 10⁵ 8.2 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 3.6 × 10⁵ 6.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.4 × 10⁵ 4.1 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 3.4 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁹ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 3.8 × 10⁵ 7.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 5.5 × 10⁴ 5.4 × 10⁸ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 6.9 × 10⁴ 3.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 7.8 × 10⁴ 1.9 × 10⁹ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 4.2 × 10⁵ 4.8 × 10⁸

The mineraloid clay was a product called “Rare Earth”, with the ingredients listed as a blend of a pyrophyllitic silicate clay and leonardite. Leonardite is a mineraloid composed of oxidized lignite; it is high in humic acid. Rare Earth is sold by General Hydroponics of Sebastopol, Calif.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus an aluminum phyllosilicate clay (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.5 × 10⁵ 8.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.5 × 10⁵ 6.1 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 5.2 × 10⁵ 5.5 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 4.3 × 10⁵ 8.2 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 1.0 × 10⁵ 1.3 × 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.2 × 10⁵ 9.6 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 3.6 × 10⁵ 2.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 3.0 × 10⁵ 7.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 3.4 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 2.4 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁹ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 9.9 × 10⁴ 2.2 × 10⁹ ATCC-43883 M. zatmanii 2.3 × 10⁵ 7.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 3.8 × 10⁵ 6.3 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 8.1 × 10⁴ 8.8 × 10⁸

The aluminum phyllosilicate clay was a product called “Bentonite”, with the ingredient listed as an aluminum phyllosilicate clay. Bentonite is sold by L. D. Carlson Co. of Kent, Ohio.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus crushed egg shell (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 2.8 × 10⁵ 2.9 × 10⁹ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.1 × 10⁵ 7.4 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 3.3 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁸ DSM-18172 M. organophilum 4.5 × 10⁵ 8.7 × 10⁸ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 4.3 × 10⁵ 2.5 × 10⁹ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 2.3 × 10⁵ 9.3 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 3.1 × 10⁵ 1.7 × 10⁹ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 2.4 × 10⁵ 3.3 × 10⁹ ATCC-14821 M. rhodinum 4.2 × 10⁵ 7.8 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 8.4 × 10⁴ 5.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 1.1 × 10⁵ 2.8 × 10⁹ ATCC-43883 M. zattmanii 3.2 × 10⁵ 6.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 2.8 × 10⁵ 6.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 8.9 × 10⁴ 9.2 × 10⁸

The crushed shell was obtained from chicken egg shells.

Four other solid substrates were tested with two PPFM strains. While all four of these solid substrates enabled the two PPFM strains to grow to higher titers than in water-clear AMS-GP medium, the growth was relatively light compared to the other solid substrates tested above. The ground wheat and ground barley were very coarse, which could have contributed to this relatively light growth due to the relatively low surface area of a coarsely ground solid substrate.

Because of this relatively light growth, these four solid substrates were not tested with the other PPFM strains.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus flax seed meal (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.4 × 10⁵ 6.4 × 10⁶ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 9.9 × 10⁴ 1.2 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus ground wheat (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. exlorquens 2.1 × 10⁵ 9.7 × 10⁶ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 4.3 × 10⁵ 3.3 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus ground barley (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 2.2 × 10⁵ 3.4 × 10⁷ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 9.2 × 10⁴ 1.4 × 10⁷

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus dried shrimp (at 2 grams per liter) initial titer titer after 3 days DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.0 × 10⁵ 7.5 × 10⁶ DSM-1708 M. mesophilicum 7.1 × 10⁴ 3.7 × 10⁷

The dried shrimp were powdered brine shrimp, sold by OmegaSea Ltd, of Sitka, Ak.

Example 11 Utilization of PPFM Bacteria to Promote Plant Growth and Early Development

The establishment of a vigorous and uniform stand of corn plants early in the growing season is essential to a high yielding crop, and is mainly dependent on the development of a vigorous nodal root system. The first roots that emerge from a corn seed (the radicle and seminal roots) function mainly in the uptake of water from the soil. The radicle seminal roots do not provide other nourishment, which early in the growth of the seedling is provided by energy and nutrient reserves in the kernel. When nodal roots emerge from the corn stem, growth of the seminal roots slows dramatically and they contribute little to the season-long maintenance of the corn plant. Instead, the nodal root system plays this role. Thus, the early and vigorous establishment of a nodal root system plays a key role in the development of a uniform stand of corn. Failure to do so results in stunted plants and other deficiencies that end in lower yields at harvest.

Cultures of PPFM bacteria produced by the method of Example 3 (i.e. by growing the PPFM bacteria in liquid media containing insoluble salt crystals) were used to treat corn seeds. To 72 corn seeds, 20 milliliters of the PPFM culture were added, in a container such that the corn seeds were completely immersed in the PPFM culture. As a control, an equal number of corn seeds were immersed in the PPFM-free culture medium of Example 3. The corn seeds were soaked in these solutions for 4 hours, at room temperature (about 22 degrees C.), with gentle agitation. At the end of this soaking period, the seeds were planted in potting soil and allowed to germinate and grow for 8 days. At that time, the corn seedlings were dug up, rinsed to remove the soil, and the nodal roots counted and measured. The results are shown below.

control PPFM treated number of nodal roots 2.56 2.88 13% more per plant, in milligrams average length of nodal roots 2.33 3.44 48% longer per plant in centimeters

These results indicate that contacting corn seeds with the high-titer PPFM culture provided by the instant invention results in the earlier emergence and more rapid growth of nodal roots.

Example 12 Growth of Methylobacterium in Liquid Media with Non-Particulate Solid Substances

Ten distinct Methylobacterium (PPFM) strains were grown in 200 ml of the water-clear AMS-GP medium, titered, and then concentrated ten-fold. These PPFM cultures, with no solid substances present, were used to inoculate test tubes containing 10 ml of water-clear AMS-GP medium with various added non-particulate solid substances. For the non-particulate solids, 20 mg of the various non-particulate solid substances were added to each 10 ml tube, yielding a non-particulate solid substrate concentration equivalent to 2 grams per liter. The target initial titer in each tube was about 1×10⁵ PPFM cells per ml. The inoculated test tubes were placed on a rotary shaker set and grown for three days at 30 degrees C., and 250 rpm.

Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus tufts of cotton (at 2 grams per liter) titer after 3 initial titer days (CFU/mL) DSM-6343 M. exlorquens 6.6 × 10⁴ 3.7 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 2.4 × 10⁵ 1.2 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 1.7 × 10⁵ 5.7 × 10⁷ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 1.6 × 10⁵ 9.4 × 10⁷ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 8.3 × 10⁴ 4.7 × 10⁸ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 7.0 × 10⁴ 8.1 × 10⁷ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 3.5 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 3.3 × 10⁵ 2.5 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 4.2 × 10⁵ 7.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 2.1 × 10⁵ 7.4 × 10⁷

After three days of growth, the cotton tufts were a dark brilliant pink in color, being coated with adhered PPFM cells (FIG. 3A). These adhered PPFM were removed by vigorous vortexing, and the resulting suspensions of PPFM cells were titered. The titers of PPFM cells attained were higher than those attained by growing the PPFM in clear AMS-GP liquid medium (see representative results of Example 10 where PPFM grown for 3 days in water clear AMS-GP media did not exceed 10⁶ colony forming units per ml). A photomicrograph showing PPFM strain ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense adhered to cotton fibers is provided in FIG. 4.

a. Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus tufts of glass wool (at 2 grams per liter) titer after 3 initial titer days (CFU/mL) DSM-6343 M. extorquens 3.4 × 10⁵ 2.0 × 10⁸ DSM-1819 M. radiololerans 1.9 × 10⁵ 2.3 × 10⁸ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.0 × 10⁴ 5.6 × 10⁷ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 9.4 × 10⁴ 1.8 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 3.8 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 7.4 × 10⁴ 3.9 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 3.2 × 10⁵ 8.0 × 10⁷ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 6.8 × 10⁴ 1.0 × 10⁸ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 1.1 × 10⁵ 6.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 1.7 × 10⁵ 3.0 × 10⁸

After three days of growth, the glass wool tufts were brilliant pink in color, being coated with adhered PPFM cells (FIG. 3B). These adhered PPFM were removed by vigorous vortexing, and the resulting suspensions of PPFM cells were titered. The titers of PPFM cells attained were higher than those attained by growing the PPFM in clear AMS-GP liquid medium (see representative results of Example 2). The titers of PPFM cells attained were higher than those attained by growing the PPFM in clear AMS-GP liquid medium (see representative results of Example 10 where PPFM grown for 3 days in water clear AMS-GP media did not exceed 10⁶ colony forming units per ml).

b. Growth of PPFM strains in AMS-GP liquid medium plus tufts of synthetic sponge (at 2 grams per liter) titer after 3 initial titer days (CFU/mL) DSM-6343 M. extorquens 8.6 × 10⁴ 8.4 × 10⁷ DSM-1819 M. radiotolerans 4.0 × 10⁵ 4.4 × 10⁷ DSM-13060 M. extorquens 8.4 × 10⁴ 2.9 × 10⁸ DSM-18207 M. oryzae 9.2 × 10⁴ 3.4 × 10⁸ DSM-19779 M. phyllosphaerae 9.0 × 10⁴ 5.7 × 10⁷ ATCC-14718 M. extorquens 7.5 × 10⁴ 3.2 × 10⁸ ATCC-21611 M. rhodesianum 8.5 × 10⁴ 1.6 × 10⁸ ATCC-35065 M. fujisawaense 3.4 × 10⁵ 7.5 × 10⁷ ATCC-51358 M. aminovorans 7.8 × 10⁴ 7.8 × 10⁷ ATCC-700647 M. thiocyanatum 2.4 × 10⁵ 9.5 × 10⁷

The synthetic sponge used was “Body Scrub”, manufactured by Compac Industries, Inc. of Decatur, Ga. The synthetic sponge is made of a polyester polymeric material.

After three days of growth, the synthetic sponge tufts were brilliant pink in color, being coated with adhered PPFM cells (FIG. 3C). These adhered PPFM were removed by vigorous vortexing, and the resulting suspensions of PPFM cells were titered. The titers of PPFM cells attained were higher than those attained by growing the PPFM in clear AMS-GP liquid medium (see representative results of Example 10 where PPFM grown for 3 days in water clear AMS-GP media did not exceed 10⁶ colony forming units per ml).

REFERENCES

-   Abanda-Nkpwatt, D., M. Musch, J. Tschiersch, M. Boettner, and W.     Schwab. 2006. Molecular interaction between Methylobacterium     extorquens and seedlings: growth promotion, methanol consumption,     and localization of the methanol emission site. J. Exp. Bot. 57:     4025-4032. -   Cao, Y-R, Wang, Q., Jin, R-X., Tang, S-K., He, W-X., Lai, H-X, Xu,     L-H., and C-L Jiang. 2011. Methylobacterium soli sp. nov. a     methanol-utilizing bacterium isolated from the forest soil. Antonie     van Leeuwenhoek (2011) 99:629-634. -   Corpe, W. A., and D. V. Basile. 1982. Methanol-utilizing bacteria     associated with green plants. Devel. Industr. Microbiol. 23:     483-493. -   Corpe, W. A., and S. Rheem. 1989. Ecology of the methylotrophic     bacteria on living leaf surfaces. FEMS Microbiol. Ecol. 62: 243-250. -   Green, P. N. 2005. Methylobacterium. In Brenner, D. J., N. R. Krieg,     and J. T. Staley (eds.). “Bergey's Manual of Systematic     Bacteriology. Volume two, The Proteobacteria. Part C, The alpha-,     beta-, delta-, and epsilonproteobacteria.” Second edition. Springer,     New York. Pages 567-571. -   Green, P. N. 2006. Methylobacterium. In Dworkin, M., S. Falkow, E.     Rosenberg, K.-H. Schleifer, and E. Stackebrandt (eds.). “The     Prokaryotes. A Handbook on the Biology of Bacteria. Volume 5.     Proteobacteria: Alpha and Beta Subclasses.” Third edition. Springer,     New York. Pages 257-265. -   Holland, M. A. 1997. Methylobacterium and plants. Recent. Res.     Devel. in Plant Physiol. 1: 207-213. -   Holland, M. A., and J. C. Polacco. 1994. PPFMs and other covert     contaminants: Is there more to plant physiology than just plant?     Annu. Rev. Plant Physiol. Plant Mol. Biol. 45: 197-209. -   Kutschera, U. 2007. Plant-associated methylobacteria as co-evolved     phytosymbionts. A hypothesis. Plant Signal Behav. 2: 74-78. -   Lidstrom, M. E., 2006. Aerobic methylotrophic prokaryotes. In     Dworkin, M., S. Falkow, E. Rosenberg, K.-H. Schleifer, and E.     Stackebrandt (eds.). “The Prokaryotes. A Handbook on the Biology of     Bacteria. Volume 2. Ecophysiology and biochemistry.” Third edition.     Springer, New York. Pages 618-634. -   Madhaiyan, M., S. Poonguzhali, H. S. Lee, K. Hari, S. P. Sundaram,     and T. M. Sa. 2005. Pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic     bacteria accelerate germination, growth and yield of sugarcane clone     Co86032 (Saccharum officinarum L.) Biol. Fertil. Soils 41: 350-358. -   Madhaiyan, M., S. Poonguzhali, M. Senthilkumar, S. Seshadri, H.     Chung, J. Yang, S. Sundaram, and T. Sa. 2004. Growth promotion and     induction of systemic resistance in rice cultivar CO-47 (Oryza     saliva L.) by Methylobacterium spp. Bot. Bull. Acad. Sin. 45:     315-324. -   Madhaiyan, M., S. Poonguzhali, and T. Sa. 2007. Influence of plant     species and environmental conditions on epiphytic and endophytic     pink-pigmented facultative methylotrophic bacterial populations     associated with field-grown rice cultivars. J Microbiol Biotechnol.     2007 October; 17(10):1645-54. -   Stanier, R. Y., N. J. Palleroni, and M. Doudoroff. 1966. The aerobic     pseudomonads: A taxonomic study. J. Gen. Microbiol. 43: 159-271. -   Sy, A., Giraud, E., Jourand, P., Garcia, N., Willems, A., De     Lajudie, P., Prin, Y., Neyra, M., Gillis, M., Boivin-Masson, C., and     Dreyfus, B. 2001. Methylotrophic Methylobacterium Bacteria Nodulate     and Fix Nitrogen in Symbiosis with Legumes. Jour. Bacteriol.     183(1):214-220, -   Sy, A., A. C. J. Timmers, C. Knief, and J. A. Vorholt. 2005.     Methylotrophic metabolism is advantageous for Methylobacterium     extorquens during colonization of Medicago truncatula under     competitive conditions. Appl. Environ. Microbiol. 71: 7245-7252. -   Vogel, H. J., and D. M. Bonner. 1956. Acetylornithinase of     Escherichia coli: Partial purification and some properties. J. Biol.     Chem. 218: 97-106. -   Whittenbury, R., S. L. Davies, and J. F. Wilkinson. 1970.     Enrichment, isolation and some properties of methane-utilizing     bacteria. J. Gen. Microbiol. 61: 205-218.

Example 13 Growth of Methylobacterium on a Solid and Preparation of Dry Powder PPFM Formulation from the Same

The growth medium was a liquid base medium amended with a solid substance. Thus, the medium was comprised of both a liquid phase and a solid phase.

The liquid base medium was Ammonium Mineral Salts (AMS) containing peptone, glutamate as the carbon source, and diatomaceous earth as the solid substance.

To prepare this medium, three stock solutions were made as follows. Stock solution I was made by dissolving 35 grams of anhydrous dibasic potassium phosphate and 27 grams of anhydrous monobasic potassium phosphate in a final volume of 1 liter of distilled water. Stock solution I was at a 50× concentration.

Stock solution II was made by dissolving 50 grams of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate and 25 grams of anhydrous ammonium chloride in a final volume of 1 liter of distilled water. Stock Solution II was at a 50× concentration.

Stock solution III was made by dissolving 10 grams calcium chloride dihydrate in one liter of distilled water. Stock Solution III was at 50× concentration.

To prepare one liter of growth medium, 20 ml of stock solution I, 20 ml of stock solution II, 20 ml of stock solution III, 10 grams of peptone, 15 grams of sodium glutamate, and 2 grams of diatomaceous earth were added to 940 ml of distilled water. The growth medium was autoclaved before use.

A shake flask of this growth medium was inoculated with NewLeaf Symbiotics PPFM strain NLS0020 (NRRL Deposit No. B-50930) and incubated on a rotary shaker at 250 rpm and 30 degrees C. for 3 days. The final titer of this culture was 3.0×10e8 colony forming units (cfu) per ml.

Example 14 Preparation of Dry Powder PPFM Formulation

The culture of PPFM strain NLS0020 was amended with skim milk (at 0.9% v/v) and various concentration of sucrose, before drying.

Stock solutions of skim milk (10% v/v) and sucrose (50% w/v) were prepared and autoclaved before use.

To 8 ml of the NLS0020 culture of Example 1 were added 2 ml of the 50% sucrose stock solution and 1 ml of the 10% skim milk stock solution, to yield a culture solution containing 9.1% sucrose (w/v) and 0.9% skim milk (v/v).

To 7 ml of NLS0020 culture were added 3 ml of the 50% sucrose stock solution and 1 ml of the 10% skim milk stock solution, to yield a culture solution containing 13.6% v/v sucrose and 0.9% v/v skim milk.

To 6 ml of NLS0020 culture were added 4 ml of the 50% sucrose stock solution and 1 ml of the 10% skim milk stock solution, to yield a culture suspension containing 18.2% sucrose and 0.9% skim milk.

The culture suspensions were frozen, and then placed into a Labconco™ 12 L console lyophilizer for four days at −45° C., and <1 millibar psi. This yielded three dry powder PPFM formulations, each containing different amounts of sucrose.

The yield of powder for these various formulations was about 160 mg per ml of the 9.1% w/v sucrose starting suspension, about 230 mg per ml of the 13.6%% w/v sucrose starting suspension, and about 300 mg per ml of the 18.2%% w/v sucrose starting suspension.

The powder obtained from the 9.1% sucrose culture suspension was designated “Dry Powder PPFM Formulation A”.

The powder obtained from the 13.6% sucrose culture suspension was designated “Dry Powder PPFM Formulation B”.

The powder obtained from the 18.2% sucrose culture suspension was designated “Dry Powder PPFM Formulation C”.

Samples of these three dry powder PPFM formulations were resuspended in sterile 0.9% (w/v) saline to the original culture volume and titered. The results were:

Dry Powder PPFM Formulation A 2.2×10e8 cfu per ml

Dry Powder PPFM Formulation B 1.9×10e8 cfu per ml

Dry Powder PPFM Formulation C 1.6×10e8 cfu per ml

The post-lyophilization survival rates for the PPFM cells in the three culture suspensions were about 70% for Dry Powder PPFM Formulation A, about 60% for Dry Powder PPFM Formulation B, and about 50% for Dry Powder PPFM Formulation C.

Example 15 Stimulation of Early Growth of Lettuce Seedlings by the Dry Powder PPFM Formulation

The lettuce seeds were planted in Oasis Horticubes™. The control groups were not treated. There were about 90-100 plants in each group, due to slight differences in germination rates. The lettuce seedlings were grown for 10 days in a greenhouse, and the wet weights of the above ground portions of the plants were measured. The test was run three times.

TABLE 4 Test #1 average wet weight in mg per percent increase confidence treatment lettuce seedling over control interval control 78 formulation A 104 33% >99% formulation B 105 35% >99% formulation C 94 21% >99%

TABLE 5 Test #2 average wet weight in mg per percent increase confidence treatment lettuce seedling over control interval control 88 formulation A 105 19% >99% formulation B 99 13% >99% formulation C 96 9% >99%

TABLE 6 Test #3 average wet weight in mg per percent increase confidence treatment lettuce seedling over control interval control 114 formulation A 154 35% >99% formulation B 135 18% >99% formulation C 130 14% >99%

TABLE 7 Averages across all three tests average wet weight in mg per percent increase confidence treatment lettuce seedling over control interval control 93 formulation A 121 30% >99% formulation B 113 22% >99% formulation C 107 15% >99%

Example 16 Shelf-Life Experiment

The growth medium was a liquid base medium amended with a solid substance. Thus, the medium was comprised of both a liquid phase and a solid phase.

The liquid base medium was Ammonium Mineral Salts (AMS) containing peptone, glutamate as the carbon source, and diatomaceous earth as the solid substance.

To prepare this medium, three stock solutions were made as follows.

Stock solution I was made by dissolving 35 grams of anhydrous dibasic potassium phosphate and 27 grams of anhydrous monobasic potassium phosphate in a final volume of 1 liter of distilled water. Stock solution I was at a 50× concentration.

Stock solution II was made by dissolving 50 grams of magnesium sulfate heptahydrate and 25 grams of anhydrous ammonium chloride in a final volume of 1 liter of distilled water. Stock Solution II was at a 50× concentration.

Stock solution III was made by dissolving 10 grams calcium chloride dihydrate in one liter of distilled water. Stock Solution III was at 50× concentration.

To prepare one liter of growth medium, 20 ml of stock solution I, 20 ml of stock solution II, 20 ml of stock solution III, 10 grams of peptone, 15 grams of sodium glutamate, and 2 grams of diatomaceous earth were added to 940 ml of distilled water. The growth medium was autoclaved before use.

A shake flask of this growth medium was inoculated with NewLeaf Symbiotics PPFM strain NLS0020 (NRRL Deposit No. B-50930) and incubated on a rotary shaker at 250 rpm and 30 degrees C. for 3 days. The final titer of this culture was 7.2×10e8 colony forming units (cfu) per ml.

The culture of PPFM strain NLS0020 was amended with skim milk (at 0.9% v/v) and various concentration of sucrose, before drying.

Stock solutions of skim milk (10% v/v) and sucrose (50% w/v) were prepared and autoclaved before use.

To 9 ml of the NLS0020 culture of Example 1 were added 1 ml of the 50% sucrose stock solution and 1 ml of the 10% skim milk stock solution, to yield a culture solution containing 4.6% sucrose (w/v) and 0.9% skim milk (v/v).

The culture suspensions were frozen, and then placed into a Labconco™ 12 L console lyophilizer for three days at −45° C., and <1 millibar psi. This yielded dry powder PPFM formulation D.

The yield of powder for these various formulations was about 100 mg per ml of the 4.6% w/v sucrose starting suspension.

A sample of this dry powder PPFM formulation was resuspended in sterile 0.9% (w/v) saline to the original culture volume and titered. The results were:

Dry Powder PPFM Formulation D 5.4×10e9 cfu per gram of powder.

100 mg samples of this powder were aliquoted into individual 1.7 ml conical microfuge tubes. These tubes were then placed into a 250 ml Corning disposable clear bottle and stored at room temperature. The tubes were not protected from the light. One tube was pulled from the bottle at 75 days and another pulled at 311 days and titered as described above. The results were:

Dry Powder PPFM Formulation D 4.4×10e9 cfu per gram of powder at 75 days.

Dry Powder PPFM Formulation D 5.1×10e9 cfu per gram of powder at 311 days.

These results indicate that this dry powder PPFM formulation is very stable, with no detectable decline in the titer of the powder over a period of 311 days of storage at room temperature and in the light.

Having illustrated and described the principles of the present invention, it should be apparent to persons skilled in the art that the invention can be modified in arrangement and detail without departing from such principles.

Although the materials and methods of this invention have been described in terms of various embodiments and illustrative examples, it will be apparent to those of skill in the art that variations can be applied to the materials and methods described herein without departing from the concept, spirit and scope of the invention. All such similar substitutes and modifications apparent to those skilled in the art are deemed to be within the spirit, scope and concept of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A method for obtaining a dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium comprising: (a) combining a fermentation product comprising a solid substance having a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium adhered thereto with a cryoprotection agent selected from the group consisting of disaccharide, polysucrose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and combinations thereof to obtain a biphasic mixture that comprises the cryoprotection agent and a solid phase comprising the fermentation product; and, (b) lyophilizing the biphasic mixture, thereby obtaining the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium.
 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the fermentation product has a Methylobacterium titer of 5×10⁸, 1×10⁹, or 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of solid to about 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the solid substance.
 3. The method of claim 1, wherein the disaccharide is selected from the group consisting of sucrose, lactose, trehalose, and combinations thereof.
 4. The method of claim 1, wherein the polysucrose has a molecular weight of about 60 to about 80 kilodaltons (kD) or about 300 to about 500 kilodaltons (kD).
 5. The method of claim 1, wherein the cryoprotection agent is sucrose.
 6. The method of claim 5, wherein the hydroxyethylcellulose has a molecular weight of about 600 kilodaltons (kD) to about 700 kilodaltons (kD).
 7. The method of claim 6, further comprising the addition of a protein of plant, animal or microbial origin to the biphasic mixture.
 8. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a man-made material, a material of animal origin, a material of plant origin, a material of microbial origin, a material of fungal origin, a material of mineral origin, and combinations thereof.
 9. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient.
 10. The method of claim 1, wherein said solid substance is inanimate.
 11. The method of claim 1, wherein the solid substance is selected from the group consisting of a polysaccharide, a diatomaceous earth, a salt crystal, and combinations thereof.
 12. The method of claim 1, wherein said polysaccharide is selected from the group of a cellulosic polysaccharide, a chitinous polysaccharide, a galactan polysaccharide, and combinations thereof.
 13. The method of claim 1, further comprising converting the dried preparation to a powder.
 14. The method of claim 1, further comprising the addition of an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient.
 15. The method of claim 1, further comprising the step of applying the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium to a plant or plant part.
 16. The method of claim 1, wherein at least about 50%, 60%, or 70% of Methylobacterium cells in the dried preparation are viable.
 17. A composition comprising the dried preparation of viable Methylobacterium made by the method of claim
 1. 18. A plant that is at least partially coated with the composition of claim
 17. 19. A plant part that is at least partially coated with the composition of claim
 17. 20. The plant part of claim 19, wherein the plant part is selected from the group consisting of a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, and a leaf.
 21. The plant part of claim 20, wherein the plant part is a seed.
 22. The plant part of claim 21, wherein the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 1×10³ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 1×10⁷ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed.
 23. The plant part of claim 22, wherein the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 1×10⁵ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 5×10⁵ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed.
 24. A composition that comprises a solid substance having a mono-culture or co-culture of Methylobacterium adhered thereto, and a cryoprotection agent selected from the group consisting of a disaccharide, polysucrose, hydroxyethylcellulose, and combinations thereof, wherein the composition is substantially free of water, essentially free of water, or essentially dry, and wherein at least about 50%, 60%, or 70% of Methylobacterium cells in the composition are viable.
 25. The composition of claim 24, wherein the solid substance has a Methylobacterium titer of 5×10⁸, 1×10⁹, or 1×10¹⁰ colony-forming units per gram of the solid substance to about 5×10¹³ colony-forming units of Methylobacterium per gram of the solid substance.
 26. The composition of claim 24, wherein the solid substance is an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient.
 27. The composition of claim 24, wherein the composition further comprises an agriculturally acceptable adjuvant or agriculturally acceptable excipient.
 28. The composition of claim 24, wherein the cryoprotection agent is a disaccharide.
 29. The composition of claim 28, wherein the disaccharide is sucrose.
 30. A plant that is at least partially coated with the composition of claim
 24. 31. A plant part that is at least partially coated with the composition of claim
 24. 32. The plant part of claim 31, wherein the plant part is selected from the group consisting of a seed, stem, root, flower, cotyledon, a coleoptile, fruit, and a leaf.
 33. The plant part of claim 32, wherein the plant part is a seed.
 34. The plant part of claim 33, wherein the seed is a lettuce seed and is coated with about 7×10⁵ CFU of Methylobacterium per seed to about 4×10⁵ CFU of the Methylobacterium per seed. 